toothless
Americanadjective
-
lacking teeth.
-
without a serrated edge, as a saw.
-
lacking in force or sharpness; dull; ineffectual.
a toothless argument.
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of toothless
Middle English word dating back to 1350–1400; see origin at tooth, -less
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.
As usual, the toothless punishment did not fit the crime: Ross apologized to clerks and agreed not to serve as chief judge or on a judicial council.
From Slate ● Jun. 8, 2026
“It’s the one bill that protects commercial tenants, and it’s a fairly toothless bill because they don’t have to acknowledge it, unless you make them acknowledge it,” he said.
From Los Angeles Times ● May 21, 2026
Standing about 25 inches tall, it likely had a toothless beak, large eye sockets, and hollow bones.
From Science Daily ● Apr. 23, 2026
England looked toothless without him against Uruguay and Japan and when he also missed Bayern's game over the weekend, fears grew over a more serious issue than had been diagnosed.
From BBC ● Apr. 7, 2026
He greeted her and she replied, covering her mouth with her fingers as she spoke, to hide her toothless gums.
From "The House of the Spirits: A Novel" by Isabel Allende
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.
