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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:

Those who have dealt with Diamantis describe an affable man with a toothy grin who can also be domineering.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 8, 2026

But she brushed off the barbs, saying: "I am toothy, dumpy, ugly, overweight, a spinster – what the hell."

From BBC ● Jul. 10, 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

Bertrand’s a tall, earnest fellow with a shaved head, a mustache, and a toothy grin.

From Slate ● Jul. 7, 2025

Here came the waiter, Willie, Rishi had made the arrangement with, smiling his toothy smile.

From "When Dimple Met Rishi" by Sandhya Menon

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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