toothbrush
TOOTH-bruhsh
Toothbrush (noun) means a small brush with a long handle used with toothpaste to clean the teeth. Example: “He keeps a spare toothbrush at his girlfriend's flat.”
noun
1
A small brush with a long handle used with toothpaste to clean the teeth.
"He keeps a spare toothbrush at his girlfriend's flat."
"Dentists recommend replacing your toothbrush every three months."
verb
1
To scrub something with a toothbrush.
"She toothbrushed the grout between the bathroom tiles."
How to use toothbrush
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishThe small brush you use twice a day to clean your teeth.
Common pairings
electric toothbrush
toothbrush and toothpaste
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Word forms
- Plural
- toothbrushes
- Third person singular
- toothbrushes
- Past tense
- toothbrushed
Fill the gap
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He keeps a spare _____ at his girlfriend's flat.
Etymology
A straightforward compound of "tooth" and "brush", describing exactly what the object does.
Synonyms
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soup-strainer
Frequently asked questions
What does “toothbrush” mean?
The word “toothbrush” means a small brush with a long handle used with toothpaste to clean the teeth. In plain terms, the small brush you use twice a day to clean your teeth.
How do you pronounce “toothbrush”?
“Toothbrush” is pronounced TOOTH-bruhsh (/ˈtuθ.bɹʌʃ/ in IPA).
How do you use “toothbrush” in a sentence?
Here is “toothbrush” used in a sentence: “He keeps a spare toothbrush at his girlfriend's flat.”
What part of speech is “toothbrush”?
Depending on how it is used, “toothbrush” can be a noun and a verb.
Is “toothbrush” a common word?
“Toothbrush” is an uncommon word in modern English, usually learned at around the A2 level.
How many meanings does “toothbrush” have?
“Toothbrush” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a small brush with a long handle used with toothpaste to clean the teeth.
