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
Their population has collapsed, allowing the urchins to chew kelp and multiply at their leisure. — Joseph Ogilvy, Condé Nast Traveler, 28 Oct. 2026 People with large or overactive chewing muscles, often from clenching or grinding, who want to soften a bulky lower-face look or ease jaw pain. — Hanna Wickes, Charlotte Observer, 26 Oct. 2026
Noun
These were extraordinary, the shrimp steamed until the meat, lightly perfumed with ginger, snapped under the tooth, and the pleated wrapper held the right amount of chew. — Christopher Solomon, Travel + Leisure, 28 Oct. 2026 Chocolate Straws; Atomic Fireballs; Goelitz Caramel Cream Centers; Jolly Ranchers; Banana Split taffy chews; mini Twix bars; mini Snickers bars. — Jeffrey Steingarten, Vogue, 25 Oct. 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 1 Nov. 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
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