gum
guhm
Gum (noun) means the firm tissue in the mouth that surrounds the base of the teeth. Example: “My gums bleed a little when I brush too hard.”
noun
1
The firm tissue in the mouth that surrounds the base of the teeth.
"My gums bleed a little when I brush too hard."
"Rinsing with salt water can soothe sore gums."
"The dentist checked her gums for signs of inflammation."
2
Chewing gum, a soft, flavored substance chewed for pleasure but not swallowed.
"Could I borrow a piece of gum before the meeting?"
"The teacher asked him to throw his gum in the bin."
"He blew a bubble with his gum."
3
A sticky substance produced by certain plants and trees, used in adhesives and food products.
"The tree oozed a thick, sticky gum where the bark was cut."
"Some sweets contain gum from plants to keep them chewy."
"Gum arabic comes from the sap of acacia trees."
verb
1
To stick or seal something using an adhesive.
"The children gummed colourful paper onto the card for the display."
"He gummed the stamp on the corner of the parcel."
"She gummed the envelope shut."
How to use gum
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishThe flesh holding your teeth in place, or a stretchy substance you chew, or a sticky plant resin.
Common pairings
chew gum
bubble gum
gum disease
gum up the works
Vocabulary Flow
Build your vocabulary from words like gum.
Vocabulary Flow serves the next word, and the next — meaning, pronunciation and an example each time. Practice at your level, or learn English in your own language.
Start vocabulary practice
Word forms
- Plural
- gums
- Third person singular
- gums
- Past tense
- gummed
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
My _____ bleed a little when I brush too hard.
Etymology
From Old English gōma ("palate"), from a Proto-Germanic root meaning "palate," ultimately linked to a word meaning "to gape or yawn."
Related words
Frequently asked questions
What does “gum” mean?
The word “gum” means the firm tissue in the mouth that surrounds the base of the teeth. In plain terms, the flesh holding your teeth in place, or a stretchy substance you chew, or a sticky plant resin.
How do you pronounce “gum”?
“Gum” is pronounced guhm (/ɡʌm/ in IPA).
How do you use “gum” in a sentence?
Here is “gum” used in a sentence: “The dentist checked her gums for signs of inflammation.”
What part of speech is “gum”?
Depending on how it is used, “gum” can be a noun and a verb.
Where does the word “gum” come from?
The word “gum” comes from Old English. From Old English gōma ("palate"), from a Proto-Germanic root meaning "palate," ultimately linked to a word meaning "to gape or yawn.".
Is “gum” a common word?
“Gum” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B2 level.
How many meanings does “gum” have?
“Gum” has 4 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: the firm tissue in the mouth that surrounds the base of the teeth.
What is the difference between gum and resin from plants?
Gum is a sticky plant substance that typically dissolves in water and is used in adhesives and food products. Resin is a different plant secretion that does not dissolve in water and is more often used in varnishes, though the two are easily confused because both are sticky tree exudates.
What is the difference between gum and gums when talking about the mouth?
Both refer to the firm tissue surrounding the base of the teeth. The singular 'gum' often names the tissue as a material or type, while the plural 'gums' is more common when referring to the tissue in your own mouth, as in 'healthy gums'.
Is 'gum' the same as 'chewing gum' and 'bubble gum'?
Chewing gum is the general soft, flavoured substance chewed for pleasure but not swallowed, and 'gum' is commonly used as its short form. Bubble gum is a specific type of chewing gum made to be blown into bubbles.
Featured in
Vocabulary lists that include gum:
