gum

[ guhm ]

/ gʌm /

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 1).

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.

Nearby words

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

Idioms

gum up the works. work(def 51).

Origin of gum

1350–1400; Middle English gomme < Old French < Vulgar Latin *gumma, for Latin gummi, cummi < Greek kómmi

Related forms

gum·less, adjectivegum·like, adjective

Definition for gums (2 of 2)

gum

[ 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

1275–1325; Middle English gome, Old English gōma palate; akin to Old Norse gōmr, German Gaumen palate

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for gums

Or maybe we just need one of those bogus “alien invasions” that Paul Krugman is always flapping his gums about.
This One Picture of Telly Savalas Refutes All Fears That Progress Has Ended|Nick Gillespie|October 30, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Lactobacillus reuteri LR-1 or LR-2 promote oral health by binding to teeth and gums, preventing plaque formation in the mouth.
How to Choose the Right Probiotic for You|DailyBurn|May 16, 2014|DAILY BEAST
After you spit out the oil, rub the remaining oil into your gums.
Oil Pulling: Miracle Cure or Oily Mess?|DailyBurn|March 28, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Ahmad claims that four plainclothes officers cuffed him to a chair, jammed open his mouth, and electrocuted his gums.
Assad’s House of Torture|Anna Therese Day|October 14, 2012|DAILY BEAST

Sometimes it may be necessary to scarify the gums, or to apply leeches to them.
Popular Technology, Vol. I (of 2)|Edward Hazen
The gum on the whole lower jaw may become inflamed, and a yellow band of ulceration may appear along the gums.
The Home Medical Library, Volume II (of VI)|Various
The doctor lanced his gums this morning, as if he was a baby, and I saw the teeth all ready to be born, as it were.
All the Days of My Life: An Autobiography|Amelia Edith Huddleston Barr
Always brush away from the gums; that is, brush the upper teeth down, and the lower teeth up.
Scouting For Girls, Official Handbook of the Girl Scouts|Girl Scouts
The perfectly formed teeth are not much more worn than those which had never pierced the gums.
The Archaeology and Prehistoric Annals of Scotland|Daniel Wilson

British Dictionary definitions for gums (1 of 4)

GUM

abbreviation for

genitourinary medicine

British Dictionary definitions for gums (2 of 4)

gum

/ (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

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 gums (3 of 4)

gum

/ (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 gums (4 of 4)

gum

/ (ɡʌm) /

noun

used in the mild oath by gum!

Word Origin for gum

C19: euphemism for God

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

Science definitions for gums (1 of 2)

gum

[ 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.

Science definitions for gums (2 of 2)

gum

[ gŭm ]

See gingiva.

gum

noun

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

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

Verb Phrases

RELATED CONTENT

RELATED WORDS

Nearby words

Idioms

Origin of gum

Related forms

Definition for gums (2 of 2)

gum

noun

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

Origin of gum

Examples from the Web for gums

British Dictionary definitions for gums (1 of 4)

GUM

abbreviation for

British Dictionary definitions for gums (2 of 4)

gum

noun

verb gums, gumming or gummed

Derived Forms

Word Origin for gum

British Dictionary definitions for gums (3 of 4)

gum

noun

Word Origin for gum

British Dictionary definitions for gums (4 of 4)

gum

noun

Word Origin for gum

Science definitions for gums (1 of 2)

gum

Science definitions for gums (2 of 2)

gum