toothpick

[ tooth-pik ]

noun

1. a small pointed piece of wood, plastic, etc., for removing substances, especially food particles, from between the teeth. tooth.

toothpick

/ ˈtuːθˌpɪk /

noun

1. a small sharp sliver of wood, plastic, etc, used for extracting pieces of food from between the teeth
2. a slang word for bowie knife

Word History and Origins

Origin of toothpick¹

First recorded in 1480–90; tooth + pick ²

Example Sentences

All the toothpick stuff, that was her idea.

From Los Angeles Times

In a span of 26 years, he became known to the rest of the baseball world as an eccentric dugout presence with a toothpick dangling from his lips, heavy wristbands adorning his arms, and a quirky use of the bullpen.

From Los Angeles Times

For instance, there’s stuzzichini, which according to Ferrari is a derivative of the word for toothpick, stuzzicadenti.

From Salon

And when a Labrador retriever owned by another company officer gulped down a bagel impaled with a toothpick, he said, most of the resulting $10,5000 surgical bill was covered as well.

From New York Times

Was it too much to ask for a toothpick or something?

From Literature