chew

Formschews, chewing, chewed

Pluralchews

1. 1
   verbtransitive or intransitive

   To crush food with the teeth, opening and closing the jaws repeatedly so that saliva can soften and break it down before swallowing.

   She chewed each bite carefully because her jaw still ached.

   Cows chew their grass for hours before fully digesting it.

   Similarmunch, chomp, masticate

2. 2
   verbtransitive or intransitive

   To grind, tear, or wear something down with the teeth, or as though with teeth.

   The blades chewed through the dense brush in seconds.

   Powerful waves chew away at the cliffs along the coast.

   Similargnaw, grind, tear, eat

3. 3
   nouncountable or uncountable

   The process of working food between the teeth and in the mouth; mastication.

   The toffee required a long, patient chew.

   Each chew released a little more flavor from the gum.

4. 4
   verbcolloquialtransitive or intransitive

   To turn a matter over in the mind; to ponder or reflect on something at length.

   He chewed on the decision all weekend before committing to it.

   Give the committee time to chew over the proposal.

   Similarponder, mull, consider, contemplate, ruminate

5. 5
   nouncountable or uncountable

   A small piece of candy, such as taffy, that is made to be chewed.

   The shop sold caramel chews wrapped in waxed paper.

   She unwrapped a strawberry chew and popped it in her mouth.

6. 6
   nouncolloquialuncountable

   Tobacco meant to be held in the mouth and chewed rather than smoked.

   He filled the lower lip with chew before stepping up to bat.

   The store stocked chew in several different cuts and brands.

   Similarchaw, dip

7. 7
   nouncountable

   A plug or wad of chewing tobacco held in the mouth; a chaw.

   He worked the chew slowly while leaning against the fence.

   A fresh chew sat ready in the tin beside his chair.

   Similarchaw, plug, quid, wad

8. 8
   nouncountable or uncountable

   The degree of chewiness in a food: how much resistance it offers to the teeth.

   Artisan loaves are prized for their dense, satisfying chew.

   Overcooking robbed the noodles of their pleasant chew.

   Similartexture, bite

9. 9
   nouncolloquialuncountable

   The torn or ground-up condition of something that has been damaged mechanically.

   The rope showed heavy chew where it had run over the pulley.

   Mechanics noticed the chew along the worn gear teeth.

   Similarwear, damage

Showing meanings only. Show all 9