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Synonyms

toothy

American  
[too-thee, -thee] / ˈtu θi, -ði /

adjective

toothier, toothiest
  1. having or displaying conspicuous teeth.

    a toothy smile.

  2. savory; appetizing; toothsome.

  3. possessing a rough surface.

    toothy paper.

  4. Archaic. sharp or caustic.

    toothy commentary.


toothy British  
/ ˈtuːθɪ /

adjective

  1. having or showing numerous, large, or projecting teeth

    a toothy grin

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Other Word Forms

Etymology

Origin of toothy

First recorded in 1520–30; tooth + -y 1

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.

See Examples For:

Apparently taken by surprise, Albarn jumps off the stage to watch, with a broad, toothy grin spreading across his face.

From BBC Jun. 21, 2026

By now most Americans and Canadians know of Jack Hughes, the impossibly toothy and toothless forward on the 2026 U.S.

From The Wall Street Journal Feb. 27, 2026

But since we know what that toothy nemesis is capable of, we almost feel sorry for the soldiers-for-hire that go up against it.

From Salon Aug. 5, 2025

She’d jump in the car happily, give her captor a toothy grin and then curl into a contented nap, probably dreaming of her next escape.

From Los Angeles Times Jul. 23, 2025

The spring was back in his movements, and his eyes twinkled as he grinned his toothy grin.

From "The Rock and the River" by Kekla Magoon

Green has a toothier texture and fresher flavor; red is saucier with dusky, earthen undertones.

From Los Angeles Times May 12, 2026

Some of the bones belonged to the already-discovered Steropodon galmani, a shorter, stumpier and toothier ancestor of the platypus.

From BBC May 27, 2024

As shark experts call for a rebranding of the marine predators – suggesting that attacks be relabeled "incidents" or "interactions" – Cape Cod has begun to tentatively embrace its toothier neighbors.

From Fox News Sep. 17, 2021

The effect is a dreamlike carnival of images and ideas that suggests a toothier Adult Swim, or “In Living Color” as filtered through Nell Irvin Painter.

From New York Times Jul. 26, 2018

We got some newer, meaner, toothier guys that were straight out of Seal Team 6 — serious knuckle-dragging master chiefs.

From Washington Times Oct. 23, 2017

And the mosasaurus—that was the biggest, meanest, toothiest, most unstoppable mosasaur there was.

From "Dactyl Hill Squad" by Daniel José Older

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