- plural of tooth.
teeth
Americannoun
noun
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the plural of tooth
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the most violent part
the teeth of the gale
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the power to produce a desired effect
that law has no teeth
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See skin
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to become engrossed in
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in direct opposition to; against
in the teeth of violent criticism he went ahead with his plan
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to threaten, esp in a defensive manner
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to the greatest possible degree
armed to the teeth
Other Word Forms
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
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Is there a regulator or complaint process that actually has teeth, rather than simply generating a case number?
From MarketWatch ● Sep. 12, 2026
There, I will watch whatever I’m served, and grit my teeth as needed.
From Salon ● Sep. 11, 2026
When our instructor, Master Kim, paired us together for partner drills, I clenched my teeth.
From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 11, 2026
The team used an acid etching technique that requires only very small amounts of material to recover molecular information from six Homo erectus teeth while leaving the shape of the fossils intact.
From Science Daily ● Sep. 10, 2026
The same meme makes the rounds every storm: “Tornado season PSA: Bras on, teeth in!”
From "Legendary Frybread Drive-In" by Cynthia Leitich Smith
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Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.