chew

1 of 2

verb

ˈchü How to pronounce chew (audio)
chewed; chewing; chews
Synonyms of chew

transitive verb

1
: to crush, grind, or gnaw (something, such as food) with or as if with the teeth : masticate
2
: to injure, destroy, or consume as if by chewing
—usually used with up
chewing up profits

intransitive verb

: to chew something
specifically : to chew tobacco
chewable
ˈchü-ə-bəl How to pronounce chew (audio)
adjective
chewer noun
chewy
ˈchü-ē How to pronounce chew (audio)
adjective
see also:
bite off more than one can chew chew on chew the fat

chew

2 of 2

noun

1
: the act of chewing
2
: something for chewing

Synonyms of chew

Relevance

Verb

See All Synonyms & Antonyms in Thesaurus

Examples of chew in a Sentence

Verb We were taught to chew our food thoroughly before swallowing. He chews with his mouth open. You're not allowed to chew gum in class. A mouse chewed through the cord. The dog chewed a hole in the rug.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Verb
Dogs may also dig up and chew flower bulbs, which can contain higher concentrations of toxins than the leaves and blooms above ground. — Lauren Paige Richeson, USA Today, 2 Sep. 2026 The electric dog toy is made with chew-safe material for long-lasting play. — Nicol Natale, PEOPLE, 30 Aug. 2026
Noun
Similar to South Shore and Midwest Tavern pizzas, its crust is thin with just the right amount of chew. — Usa Today Network, USA Today, 21 Aug. 2026 This silken combination is then slipped into a housemade everything bagel, which provides just enough chew to offset the fluffy scramble. — Warren Rojas, Washington Post, 19 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for chew

Word History

Etymology

Verb

Middle English, from Old English cēowan; akin to Old High German kiuwan to chew, Russian zhevat'

First Known Use

Verb

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Noun

13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of chew was before the 12th century

Phrases Containing chew

Rhymes for chew

See All Rhymes for chew

Browse Nearby Words

chevy
chew
Chewa
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Chew.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/chew. Accessed 4 Sep. 2026.

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Kids Definition

chew

1 of 2 verb
ˈchü How to pronounce chew (audio)
: to crush or grind with the teeth
chewable
-ə-bəl How to pronounce chew (audio)
adjective
chewer noun
chewy
ˈchü-ē How to pronounce chew (audio)
adjective

chew

2 of 2 noun
1
: the act of chewing
2
: something for chewing
a chew of tobacco
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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