English dictionary, thesaurus, translations & etymology

verb

teethe

TEEDH

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Teethe (verb) means to grow one's teeth, especially as a baby. Example: “The baby has been teething for weeks and is very unsettled.”

verb

1

To grow one's teeth, especially as a baby.

"The baby has been teething for weeks and is very unsettled."

"Puppies teethe just as human babies do."

"She was teething early, at only four months old."

2

To bite or chew on something to ease the discomfort of growing teeth.

"He loves to teethe on his cold rubber ring."

"The toddler was teething on the corner of her blanket."

How to use teethe

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishTeethe means growing new teeth, or chewing on things because new teeth are coming through.

When to use it

Teethe is used mainly of babies and young animals rather than adults.

Memory tip

Remember teethe is a verb pronounced with a voiced th, unlike the noun teeth.

Trace the full origin ↓

Common pairings

start teething teething baby teethe on something

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C2 · Advanced serendipity Fortunate discoveries made entirely by accident.

Gen Z slang rizz Charm — the ability to attract a romantic interest.

B2 · Intermediate empathy The capacity to share another person’s feelings.

C1 · Advanced nonchalant Casually calm and relaxed; unconcerned.

Internet slang delulu Delusional — believing something against the odds.

Etymology nostalgia Greek nostos “return home” + algos “pain”.

C2 · Advanced serendipity Fortunate discoveries made entirely by accident.

Gen Z slang rizz Charm — the ability to attract a romantic interest.

B2 · Intermediate empathy The capacity to share another person’s feelings.

C1 · Advanced nonchalant Casually calm and relaxed; unconcerned.

Internet slang delulu Delusional — believing something against the odds.

Etymology nostalgia Greek nostos “return home” + algos “pain”.

Test yourself on “teethe” A quick quiz — meaning, synonyms & usage →

Fill the gap

Can you complete this real example?

Puppies _____ just as human babies do.

Etymology

Teethe comes down from Old English, where a related verb meant to grow teeth, and it is ultimately built on the same root as the word tooth. English still shares this root with German, whose word for teething is closely related.

Origin: Old English

Rhymes for teethe

Goethe

See all rhymes for teethe →

Frequently asked questions

What does teethe mean?

It means to grow teeth, particularly used of babies, and it can also mean biting on something to ease the discomfort of new teeth coming through.

What is another way to say a baby is teething?

You can also say a baby is cutting teeth, though teething is the everyday word most people use.

Is teething painful?

It is commonly linked with discomfort, which is why babies who are teething often bite on objects to ease it.

What is the meaning of teethe?

"teethe" (verb) means to grow one's teeth, especially as a baby.