chewy

American  

[choo-ee] / ˈtʃu i /

adjective

chewier, chewiest

1. (of food) not easily chewed, as because of toughness or stickiness; requiring much chewing.

---

chewy British  

/ ˈtʃuːɪ /

adjective

1. of a consistency requiring chewing; somewhat firm and sticky

---

Other Word Forms

• chewiness
  noun

Etymology

Origin of chewy

First recorded in 1920–25; chew + -y ¹

Explanation

Chewy things have a springy quality when you grind them between your teeth. When you get braces, you have to avoid chewy foods like hard bagels and sticky toffee. Chewy things really give your jaws a workout when you eat them. Foods as varied as pizza crusts, overcooked meat, and dried apricots all have one thing in common: You have to chew them well before swallowing, and there's a firmness or stickiness between your teeth as you eat. Chewy comes from chew and its Old English root, ceowan.

Example Sentences

In 2023, the company named Cohen, the billionaire co-founder of the online pet food retailer Chewy, as its new CEO, as well as chairman.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 2, 2026

In one instance, the lawsuit alleges, Amazon raised the prices on more than 10 pet treats sold on Chewy Pet Food & Supplies, a publicly traded rival retailer.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 20, 2026

Chewy said it expects sales of $13.6 billion to $13.75 billion this year, or a roughly 8% to 9% gain.

From MarketWatch • Mar. 25, 2026

Cohen co-founded online pet-products retailer Chewy in 2011.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jan. 30, 2026

Three pouches of dried papaya Chewy Sugary Waxy Sticky Not the same at all.

From "Inside Out and Back Again" by Thanhha Lai