toothpick

[tooth-pik]

noun

1. a small pointed piece of wood, plastic, etc., for removing substances, especially food particles, from between the teeth. tooth.

toothpick

/ ˈtuːθˌpɪk /

noun

1. a small sharp sliver of wood, plastic, etc, used for extracting pieces of food from between the teeth

2. a slang word for bowie knife

Word History and Origins

Origin of toothpick¹

First recorded in 1480–90; tooth + pick ²

Example Sentences

Penelope would have much preferred to stay in the nursery, building triremes out of toothpicks with the children until bedtime, but she could hardly refuse Lady Constance.

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Even the way she chomps a cherry off a cocktail toothpick has menace.

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A brown foal with a white stripe on its muzzle teetered on toothpick legs.

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If you want to go the skewer route: pick one cheese and one meat, attach them to a long toothpick separated by some sort of produce like a tomato, strawberry, grape or basil leaf.

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All the toothpick stuff, that was her idea.

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