chew

[ choo ]

verb (used with object)

1. to crush or grind with the teeth; masticate.
2. to crush, damage, injure, etc., as if by chewing (often followed by up ):

   The faulty paper feeder chewed the letters up.

3. to make by or as if by chewing:

   The puppy chewed a hole in my slipper.

4. to meditate on; consider deliberately (often followed by over ):

   He chewed the problem over in his mind.

verb (used without object)

1. to perform the act of crushing or grinding with the teeth.
2. Informal. to chew tobacco.
3. to meditate.

noun

1. an act or instance of chewing.
2. something chewed or intended for chewing:

   a chew of tobacco; taffy chews.

verb phrase

1. Slang. to scold harshly:

   The sergeant chewed out the recruits.

chew

/ tʃuː /

verb

1. to work the jaws and teeth in order to grind (food); masticate
2. to bite repeatedly

   she chewed her nails anxiously

3. intr to use chewing tobacco
4. chew the fat or chew the rag slang.
   1. to argue over a point
   2. to talk idly; gossip

noun

1. the act of chewing
2. something that is chewed

   a chew of tobacco

Derived Forms

• ˈchewable, adjective
• ˈchewer, noun

Other Words From

• chewer noun
• un·chewed adjective
• well-chewed adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of chew¹

before 1000; Middle English chewen, Old English cēowan; cognate with Old High German kiuwan ( German kauen )

Word History and Origins

Origin of chew¹

Old English ceowan; related to Old High German kiuwan, Dutch kauwen, Latin gingīva a gum

Idioms and Phrases

Idioms

1. chew the fat, Informal. to converse at length in a relaxed manner; chat: Also chew the rag.

   They liked to sit around chewing the fat.

More idioms and phrases containing chew

• bite off more than one can chew

Example Sentences

The cast is uniformly excellent, including the peacocking Washington, chewing the scenery, and the soulful Mescal, looking like the statue of David come to life in fierce, brutal form.

From Los Angeles Times

Probiotics -- bacteria and yeast -- can withstand stomach acid and digesting enzymes, offering a potentially promising strategy for safely transporting protein-based drugs that otherwise would get chewed up.

From Science Daily

Even one senator can hold up the bill, chewing up many hours of Senate floor time that could be spent on confirming judges or passing other legislation deemed to be a higher priority.

From New York Times

When it comes to sorting these problems little is made easier by an environment that chews through coaches at an alarming rate.

From BBC

He has spent the years since chewing over his vendetta against McCain, long after the senator passed away, putting him well beyond any effort to return to the fold.

From Salon

Related Words

• bite
• chomp
• gnaw
• nibble