adj
gnawing
NAW-ihng
Gnawing (adj) means Severe, nagging, or hard to ignore — used of pain, doubt, or worry. Example: “A gnawing hunger kept him awake most of the night.”
adj
1
Severe, nagging, or hard to ignore — used of pain, doubt, or worry.
"A gnawing hunger kept him awake most of the night."
"She felt a gnawing sense of guilt about the lie."
noun
1
The act of biting or wearing away at something repeatedly.
"The gnawing of the mice had left holes in the skirting board."
How to use gnawing
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA steady, nagging feeling (as an adjective) or the act of chewing away at something (as a noun).
Common pairings
a gnawing feeling
gnawing pain
gnawing doubt
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Word forms
- Plural
- gnawings
- Comparative
- more gnawing
- Superlative
- most gnawing
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
A _____ hunger kept him awake most of the night.
Etymology
From Middle English gnawynge, simply gnaw plus the -ing ending.
Rhymes for gnawing
See all rhymes for gnawing →Frequently asked questions
What does “gnawing” mean?
The word “gnawing” means severe, nagging, or hard to ignore — used of pain, doubt, or worry. In plain terms, a steady, nagging feeling (as an adjective) or the act of chewing away at something (as a noun).
How do you pronounce “gnawing”?
“Gnawing” is pronounced NAW-ihng (/ˈnɔ.ɪŋ/ in IPA).
How do you use “gnawing” in a sentence?
Here is “gnawing” used in a sentence: “A gnawing hunger kept him awake most of the night.”
What part of speech is “gnawing”?
Depending on how it is used, “gnawing” can be an adjective and a noun.
Where does the word “gnawing” come from?
The word “gnawing” comes from Middle English. From Middle English gnawynge, simply gnaw plus the -ing ending.
How many meanings does “gnawing” have?
“Gnawing” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: severe, nagging, or hard to ignore — used of pain, doubt, or worry.
