toothpick

American  

[tooth-pik] / ˈtuθˌpɪk /

noun

• toothpicks
  plural

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

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toothpick British  

/ 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

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Other Word Forms

Noun Inflected Forms

• toothpicks
  plural

Etymology

Origin of toothpick

First recorded in 1480–90; tooth + pick ²

Explanation

A toothpick is a device made for cleaning bits of food out of your teeth. Toothpicks are also used to pick up small appetizers or other tidbits. At a fancy party, use toothpicks for eating hors d'oeuvres, not for digging food out of your teeth! Tooth-picking is, in fact, the original intended use of these handy tools. Experts believe that toothpicks were invented long before modern humans evolved—there's evidence that Neanderthals used toothpicks. In the 17th century, toothpicks were a luxury (and sometimes made of silver), but by the early 20th century, factories were mass producing wooden toothpicks for everyone to enjoy.

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

toothpick toothpicks

Paparazzi captured images of Antonoff, Swift's longtime producer, sporting a tux and a toothpick dangling out of his mouth, reportedly heading to Thursday's event at the Garden.

From BBC ● Jul. 3, 2026

He recommends a toothpick or one of iFixit’s $15 cleaning kits.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Dec. 21, 2025

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

From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 22, 2025

For instance, there’s stuzzichini, which according to Ferrari is a derivative of the word for toothpick, stuzzicadenti.

From Salon ● Jul. 23, 2024

Was it too much to ask for a toothpick or something?

From "Half Upon a Time" by James Riley

“I was just eating those little sausages on the toothpicks, walking and walking. It was too cold to walk outside. I thought, `I’ve got to buy something here.’

From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 17, 2024

For decades, steady revenue from oil and gas allowed Algeria to import everything from toothpicks to industrial machinery.

From Seattle Times ● Feb. 15, 2024

And on top of that, you can even eat the "toothpicks?"

From Salon ● May 26, 2023

Back in the costume department, the desks are covered in pins, cotton, fabric, toothpicks, glue bottles and scissors.

From BBC ● Feb. 24, 2023

Jessie put down her toothpicks and looked down the stairs.

From "The Vanderbeekers of 141st Street" by Karina Yan Glaser