gum

[ guhm ]

/ gʌm /

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See synonyms for: gum / gummed / gumming on Thesaurus.com

noun

any of various viscid, amorphous exudations from plants, hardening on exposure to air and soluble in or forming a viscid mass with water.

any of various similar exudations, as resin.

a preparation of such a substance, as for use in the arts or bookbinding.

chewing gum.

mucilage; glue.

rubber¹ (def. 1).

gum tree.

Philately. the adhesive by which a postage stamp is affixed.Compare o.g. (def. 2).

Informal. a rubber overshoe or boot.

verb (used with object), gummed, gum·ming.

to smear, stiffen, or stick together with gum.

to clog with or as if with some gummy substance.

verb (used without object), gummed, gum·ming.

to exude or form gum.

to become gummy.

to become clogged with a gummy substance.

Verb Phrases

gum up, Slang. to spoil or ruin.

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Idioms about gum

gum up the works. work (def. 51).

Origin of gum

First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English gom(m)e, gum(m)e, from Old French gomme, from Vulgar Latin gumma, for Latin gummi, cummi, commi, from Greek kómmi, from Coptic kommi, from Egyptian kema, kemai, kmjt

OTHER WORDS FROM gum

gumless, adjectivegumlike, adjective

Words nearby gum

gully, gullywasher, gulosity, gulp, gulper eel, gum, gum accroides, gum ammoniac, gum arabic, gumball, gum band

Other definitions for gum (2 of 3)

gum²

[ guhm ]

/ gʌm /

noun

Often gums .Also called gingiva. the firm, fleshy tissue covering the alveolar parts of either jaw and enveloping the necks of the teeth.

verb (used with object), gummed, gum·ming.

to masticate (food) with the gums instead of teeth.

to shape or renew the teeth of (a saw), as by grinding.

Origin of gum

First recorded in 1275–1325; Middle English gom(m)e, Old English gōma “palate, jaws (in plural),” Old Norse gōmr “roof or floor of the mouth,” German Gaumen “palate”

Other definitions for gum (3 of 3)

gum³

[ guhm ]

/ gʌm /

Idioms

by gum, (used as a mild oath).

Origin of gum

First recorded in 1825–35; euphemism for God

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use gum in a sentence

The post Best water flosser for healthier teeth and gums appeared first on Popular Science.
Best water flosser for healthier teeth and gums|empire|July 1, 2021|Popular-Science
In manufacturing, the regulation of temperature—“process cooling”—controlled the quality of commodities like cotton, tobacco, and chewing gum.
AC Feels Great, But It’s Terrible for the Planet. Here’s How to Fix That|Eric Dean Wilson|June 30, 2021|Time
If you do have a snack, Sweier suggested rinsing your mouth with water after or chewing sugarless gum, which can help stimulate saliva flow.
Brush up on how to care for your teeth with these tips from dentists|Allyson Chiu|June 17, 2021|Washington Post
VetriScience Laboratories These vitamins for dogs come in duck-flavored chews that are not only delicious, but also gentle on your senior friend’s mouth and gums.
Best dog vitamins: Nutrients and supplements to boost your pet’s health|Irena Collaku|June 16, 2021|Popular-Science

Some who are trying to quit smoking or vaping will use nicotine gum or skin patches.
Scientists Say: Nicotine|Bethany Brookshire|June 7, 2021|Science News For Students
White King Soap sponsored the show on the West Coast, and Beech-Nut Gum in the East.
The Flying Sorcery of Dr. Strange: Benedict Cumberbatch Is Marvel's Most Bizarre Magician|Rich Goldstein|December 8, 2014|DAILY BEAST
He packed a large pinch of the snuff against his bottom gum.
Short Stories from The Daily Beast: Four Hundred Grand|Elliot Ackerman|July 6, 2014|DAILY BEAST
He grabs the steering wheel tighter and stops chewing his bubble gum.
He Bullies Kids and Calls It News|Brandy Zadrozny|June 26, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Tessie rose, unrolled her scented handkerchief, and taking a bit of gum from a knot in the hem, placed it in her mouth.
Read ‘The King in Yellow,’ the ‘True Detective’ Reference That’s the Key to the Show|Robert W. Chambers|February 20, 2014|DAILY BEAST
He parked near us and sat watching and chewing gum or something.
‘The Land of the Permanent Wave’ Is Bud Shrake’s Classic Take on ‘60s Texas|Edwin Shrake|February 2, 2014|DAILY BEAST
We were on Blue Gum Ridge hunting squirrels, and we got to talking over one thing and another.
The Soldier of the Valley|Nelson Lloyd
Then rolling chewing-gum from one corner of his mouth into the other, he snapped off the electric light and walked from the room.
Dope|Sax Rohmer
Gum is excreted from various plants as a thick fluid, which dries up into transparent masses.
Elements of Agricultural Chemistry|Thomas Anderson
Mrs. Gum dusted a large old-fashioned oak chair with her apron; but he perched himself on one of its elbows.
Elster's Folly|Mrs. Henry Wood
He said well that he was always thirsty, though Mrs. Gum's expression was the better one.
Elster's Folly|Mrs. Henry Wood

British Dictionary definitions for gum (1 of 4)

gum¹

/ (ɡʌm) /

noun

any of various sticky substances that exude from certain plants, hardening on exposure to air and dissolving or forming viscous masses in water

any of various products, such as adhesives, that are made from such exudates

any sticky substance used as an adhesive; mucilage; glue

NZ short for kauri gum

See chewing gum, bubble gum, gumtree

mainly British a gumdrop

verb gums, gumming or gummed

to cover or become covered, clogged, or stiffened with or as if with gum

(tr) to stick together or in place with gum

(intr) to emit or form gum

Derived forms of gum

gumless, adjectivegumlike, adjective

Word Origin for gum

C14: from Old French gomme, from Latin gummi, from Greek kommi, from Egyptian kemai

British Dictionary definitions for gum (2 of 4)

gum²

/ (ɡʌm) /

noun

the fleshy tissue that covers the jawbones around the bases of the teethTechnical name: gingiva Related adjective: gingival

Word Origin for gum

Old English gōma jaw; related to Old Norse gōmr, Middle High German gūme, Lithuanian gomurīs

British Dictionary definitions for gum (3 of 4)

gum³

/ (ɡʌm) /

noun

used in the mild oath by gum!

Word Origin for gum

C19: euphemism for God

British Dictionary definitions for gum (4 of 4)

GUM

abbreviation for

genitourinary medicine

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Scientific definitions for gum (1 of 2)

gum¹

[ gŭm ]

Any of various sticky substances that are produced by certain plants and trees and dry into brittle solids soluble in water. Gums typically are colloidal mixtures of polysaccharides and mineral salts.

Scientific definitions for gum (2 of 2)

gum²

[ gŭm ]

See gingiva.

gum

Idioms about gum

Origin of gum

OTHER WORDS FROM gum

Words nearby gum

Other definitions for gum (2 of 3)

Origin of gum

Other definitions for gum (3 of 3)

Origin of gum

Words related to gum

How to use gum in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for gum (1 of 4)

Derived forms of gum

Word Origin for gum

British Dictionary definitions for gum (2 of 4)

Word Origin for gum

British Dictionary definitions for gum (3 of 4)

Word Origin for gum

British Dictionary definitions for gum (4 of 4)

Scientific definitions for gum (1 of 2)

Scientific definitions for gum (2 of 2)