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

• 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

Teeth can reveal a great deal, but scientists need more fossil material before they can formally name the species and understand where it fits on the human family tree.

From Science Daily • May 16, 2026

Appeared in the May 16, 2026, print edition as 'How America Can Put Teeth in Its Blockade'.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 15, 2026

Fieseler's debut book "Tinderbox" won seven awards, including the Edgar Award, and his reporting has appeared in Slate, Commonweal and River Teeth, among publications.

From Salon • Oct. 4, 2025

Born With Teeth will explore the relationship between a 27-year-old Marlowe and rising star William Shakespeare, as they are forced to work together on a new piece of work.

From BBC • Apr. 11, 2025

Teeth bared, angrily growling, Amaroq told him to go.

From "Julie of the Wolves" by Jean Craighead George