chewing
5 synonyms for chewing, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Noun — The action of biting and grinding something with the teeth.
Synonyms
Less common
Still standard English, but they carry more weight.
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
How to use chewing
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
chewing gum
chewing tobacco
chewing sound
Etymology
Chewing came from Middle English chewynge, chewand, from Old English *ċēowende, from Proto-Germanic *kewwandz, the present participle of Proto-Germanic *kewwaną ("to chew"); it is equivalent to chew plus -ing.
Full origin of chewing →Frequently asked questions
What does “chewing” mean?
The word “chewing” means the action of biting and grinding something with the teeth. In plain terms, the act of chewing — repeatedly biting something with the teeth.
How do you use “chewing” in a sentence?
Here is “chewing” used in a sentence: “Excessive chewing noise at the table annoyed him.”
What part of speech is “chewing”?
“Chewing” is a noun.
Is “chewing” a common word?
“Chewing” is an uncommon word in modern English.
Is "chewing" always used to describe eating food?
While chewing most commonly refers to biting and grinding food with the teeth, it can also describe worrying at other objects, such as chewing on a pen or on fingernails. In both cases, it describes the same repetitive biting action.
What is the difference between "chewing" and "gnawing"?
Chewing is a general term for biting and grinding something with the teeth, while gnawing specifically implies persistent, forceful biting to wear something down, as an animal gnaws a bone. Gnawing suggests more repetition and pressure than ordinary chewing.
Why might excessive chewing on hard objects damage teeth?
Repeatedly chewing on very hard, non-food objects like ice or pens can wear down or crack tooth enamel, since teeth aren't designed for that kind of pressure. This is why dentists often recommend limiting chewing to soft or intended items.
