noun
toothpick
TOOTH-pihk
Toothpick (noun) means a small pointed stick used to remove bits of food from between the teeth. Example: “He chewed on a toothpick after finishing his steak.”
noun
1
A small pointed stick used to remove bits of food from between the teeth.
"He chewed on a toothpick after finishing his steak."
"The waiter brought a plate of olives with toothpicks stuck in them."
2
A very thin person (informal).
"After the illness he'd become a toothpick, barely more than skin and bone."
How to use toothpick
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishThe tiny wooden stick used after a meal to clean between teeth, or, informally, a very skinny person.
Common pairings
wooden toothpick
chew on a toothpick
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Word forms
- Plural
- toothpicks
- Third person singular
- toothpicks
- Past tense
- toothpicked
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
He chewed on a _____ after finishing his steak.
Etymology
A compound of "tooth" and "pick" — literally a tool for picking at your teeth.
Synonyms
View more →
dentiscalp
picktooth
Frequently asked questions
What does “toothpick” mean?
The word “toothpick” means a small pointed stick used to remove bits of food from between the teeth. In plain terms, the tiny wooden stick used after a meal to clean between teeth, or, informally, a very skinny person.
How do you pronounce “toothpick”?
“Toothpick” is pronounced TOOTH-pihk (/ˈtuːθ.pɪk/ in IPA).
How do you use “toothpick” in a sentence?
Here is “toothpick” used in a sentence: “He chewed on a toothpick after finishing his steak.”
What is another word for “toothpick”?
Words with a similar meaning to “toothpick” include dentiscalp and picktooth.
What part of speech is “toothpick”?
“Toothpick” is a noun.
How many meanings does “toothpick” have?
“Toothpick” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a small pointed stick used to remove bits of food from between the teeth.
