gnaw

[ naw ]

verb (used with object)

, gnawed, gnawed or gnawn, gnaw·ing.

1. to bite or chew on, especially persistently.
2. to wear away or remove by persistent biting or nibbling.
3. to form or make by so doing:

   to gnaw a hole through the wall.

4. to waste or wear away; corrode; erode.
5. to trouble or torment by constant annoyance, worry, etc.; vex; plague.

verb (used without object)

, gnawed, gnawed or gnawn, gnaw·ing.

1. to bite or chew persistently:

   The spaniel gnawed happily on a bone.

2. to cause corrosion:

   The acid gnaws at the metal.

3. to cause an effect resembling corrosion:

   Her mistake gnawed at her conscience.

gnaw

/ nɔː /

verb

1. whenintr, often foll by at or upon to bite (at) or chew (upon) constantly so as to wear away little by little
2. tr to form by gnawing

   to gnaw a hole

3. to cause erosion of (something)
4. whenintr, often foll by at to cause constant distress or anxiety (to)

noun

1. the act or an instance of gnawing

Derived Forms

• ˈgnawer, noun
• ˈgnawing, adjectivenoun
• ˈgnawingly, adverb
• ˈgnawable, adjective

Other Words From

• gnawa·ble adjective
• gnawer noun
• outgnaw verb (used with object) outgnawed outgnawed or outgnawn outgnawing
• under·gnaw verb (used with object)
• un·gnawed adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of gnaw¹

before 1000; Middle English gnawen, Old English gnagen; cognate with German nagen, Old Norse gnāga

Word History and Origins

Origin of gnaw¹

Old English gnagan; related to Old Norse gnaga, Old High German gnagan

Example Sentences

He’s due to perform at his annual Camp Flog Gnaw festival next month at Dodger Stadium, topping a bill that also features Playboi Carti, Omar Apollo, Erykah Badu, the Marías, André 3000, Vince Staples, Tommy Richman and Sexyy Red, among other acts.

From Los Angeles Times

From throwing album-release beach parties to playing gigs at high schools, winging drive-by sets on the 10 Freeway or headlining festivals like Camp Flog Gnaw, the band has done whatever’s necessary to rope young crowds into its expansive vision for corridos tumbados.

From Los Angeles Times

Before last fall, Tyler, the Creator last held his popular Camp Flog Gnaw Carnival in 2019, when fans, who had hoped for a concert-ending appearance by the ever-elusive Frank Ocean, booed Drake off the stage.

From Los Angeles Times

While beetles gnaw away and burrow through the phloem under the trees' bark, the much smaller, flightless adelgid sucks out the trees' fluids and leaves behind a toxic saliva.

From Science Daily

“Something to gnaw on, little buddy,” he said, opening the door.

From Literature

Related Words

• annoy
• bedevil
• haunt
• irritate
• nag