noun
Uncommon
chewing
Chewing (noun) means the action of biting and grinding something with the teeth. Example: “Excessive chewing noise at the table annoyed him.”
noun
1
The action of biting and grinding something with the teeth.
"Excessive chewing noise at the table annoyed him."
"Slow chewing helps your stomach digest food more easily."
"The dentist said my chewing on the left side was causing pain."
How to use chewing
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishThe act of chewing — repeatedly biting something with the teeth.
Common pairings
chewing gum
chewing tobacco
chewing sound
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Word forms
- Plural
- chewings
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Excessive _____ noise at the table annoyed him.
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.
Synonyms
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Rhymes for chewing
See all rhymes for 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.
