teeth

American  

[teeth] / tiθ /

noun

1. plural of tooth.

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teeth British  

/ tiːθ /

noun

1. the plural of tooth

2. the most violent part

   the teeth of the gale

3. the power to produce a desired effect

   that law has no teeth

4. See skin

5. to become engrossed in

6. in direct opposition to; against

   in the teeth of violent criticism he went ahead with his plan

7. to threaten, esp in a defensive manner

8. to the greatest possible degree

   armed to the teeth

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teeth Idioms  

1. see armed to the teeth; bare one's teeth; by the skin of one's teeth; cut one's teeth on; fed to the gills (teeth); fly in the face (teeth) of; give one's eyeteeth; gnash one's teeth; grit one's teeth; in the teeth of; kick in the pants (teeth); lie through one's teeth; like pulling teeth; scarce as hen's teeth; set one's teeth on edge; sink one's teeth into; to the teeth. Also see under tooth.

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Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

• teethless
  adjective

Explanation

Your teeth are the pearly white things in your mouth that show when you smile. Don't forget to brush your teeth before bed. (You should also floss, while you're at it.) Many animals have teeth, from herbivores like cows to carnivores like wolves and lions that use their sharp teeth to tear meat (as well as for hunting and to defend themselves). Humans get two full sets of teeth in their lifetime — first baby teeth that fall out and then the adult teeth that replace them. Other animals, like sharks, regularly grow new sets to replace worn teeth.

Example Sentences

This places abfraction alongside other dental issues, such as impacted wisdom teeth and misaligned teeth, which are rare in wild primates but common in humans today.

From Science Daily • Jun. 8, 2026

At first glance, grooves on fossil teeth may sound trivial.

From Science Daily • Jun. 8, 2026

“It had almost no teeth to it,” Swanson explains.

From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 5, 2026

In Colorado, Kimberly Jones has grown her herd of goats from 25 to 250 in seven years, deploying their efficient teeth, hooves and stomachs to clear undergrowth to stem the spread of flames.

From BBC • Jun. 3, 2026

And Cat’s mother, who sat in their yard, teeth gone, cheeks sunken, with no money to pay the rent.

From "Nory Ryan’s Song" by Patricia Reilly Giff