paw
noun
the foot of an animal having claws.
pawing
-
present participleof paw.present participle
A verb form that is used in progressive verb constructions and may also function as a modifier or a gerund.
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
The chord progression and clattery percussion on “Dead Women” evoke “Lay Lady Lay,” while Mitski’s song imagines someone pawing through her things after death, trying to uncover her secrets.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Feb. 24, 2026
It was a cagey start with both seemingly intent on a scouting mission, Crocker pawing his right hand as Donovan missed with some early shots but did land late in the round.
From BBC ● Sep. 13, 2025
These are not easy shoes to step into, but Foster spends much of her time onstage barefoot, pawing her way into the part with those dirty, bare-soled, hilariously expressive feet of hers.
From Los Angeles Times ● Dec. 16, 2024
All he’s doing with this feral pawing for a message is frittering that away.
From Slate ● Aug. 3, 2024
“Oh yeah, because you’d be totally fine with me pawing through your phone.”
From "When Dimple Met Rishi" by Sandhya Menon
