tooth
Pluralteeth
Pluralteeth
Formstooths, toothing, toothed
- 1A hard white part in the mouth used for biting and chewing food.
Like a small, hard tool in your mouth that cuts and grinds food.
The dentist said one tooth was starting to decay.
Sharks lose and regrow their teeth throughout their lives.
UsageOne tooth, two teeth (not
incorrect: tooths). - 2A strong liking for a certain kind of food or thing.
Like a magnet that pulls you toward the things you love most.
My dad has a sweet tooth and keeps candy in his car.
Kids with a sweet tooth love this little bakery.
UsageMostly in have a sweet tooth: you love sweet food.
Similartaste, fondness, appetite, palate
Oppositeaversion, distaste, dislike
Note
- 3One of the row of sharp or pointed parts along the edge of a saw, comb, gear, or similar object.
Like the points on a comb, but sharp for cutting.
A bent tooth on the saw kept catching in the wood.
The old blade had several teeth missing.
- 4A small pointed part on an animal's body that looks like a tooth in the mouth.
Like the little points on a cheese grater.
A baby chick breaks its shell with a tiny egg tooth.
A snail's tongue is covered with thousands of tiny teeth for scraping food.
Note
- 5A small pointed part along the edge of a leaf.
Like the small points along the edge of a saw, but on a leaf.
Each tooth along the leaf's edge felt sharp to the touch.
Holly leaves have stiff teeth that can prick your fingers.
Similarserration
Note
Less common meanings
- 6To give something teeth, or to cut small points or notches along its edge.
Like adding points along the edge of a comb.
Workers tooth each blade before it leaves the factory.
The smith toothed the saw by hand.
UsagePast form toothed: a toothed edge. Teethe means a baby grows teeth.
Note
- 7A slightly rough feel on a surface such as paper, canvas, or rope that helps paint stick or knots hold.
Like rough paper that holds chalk better than smooth glass does.
This paper has enough tooth to hold charcoal well.
This smooth new rope has little tooth, so my knots keep slipping loose.
UsageSay plenty of tooth or enough tooth.
Note
- 8To fit together by locking parts into each other, the way gears do.
- 9In advanced math, one of the curves in a comb shape, each meeting the main curve at its own single point.
Showing meanings only.
Practice
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Origin
From Old English tōþ, going back through Germanic roots to an ancient Proto-Indo-European word for "tooth." It is related to tusk and tine.
Checked 1 Nov 2026 · 3 facts
- Tooth comes from Old English tōþ through Germanic ancestry from a Proto-Indo-European word for tooth. en.wiktionary.org
- Tooth is etymologically related to tusk. en.wiktionary.org
- Tooth is etymologically related to tine. en.wiktionary.org