Search Dictionary
Definition of tooth

tooth

/tuːθ/
tooth

Plural:teeth
•
Adjective:toothy
•
Past Simple:toothed
•
Past Participle:toothed
•
Present Participle:toothing
JUMP TO:

tooth Lexical Profile

tooth Game Scores & Validity

• noun

1

One of the hard, white, calcified structures rooted in the jaws of vertebrates, used for biting and chewing food.

Example

"She brushed her teeth twice a day to maintain healthy gums and prevent cavities."


2

A projecting part resembling a tooth in shape or function, particularly one of the row of points on a saw, comb, or gear.

Example

"One broken tooth on the primary gear was enough to jam the entire machine."


3

The slight roughness or grain on the surface of paper or canvas that allows drawing media such as graphite, charcoal, or pastel to adhere.

Example

"The artist specifically chose a watercolor paper with heavy tooth to hold the multiple layers of soft pastel."

Synonyms
View all synonyms for tooth
Antonyms
View all antonyms for tooth

• verb

1

To provide, furnish, or cut with teeth or toothlike projections.

Example

"The skilled metalworker carefully toothed the edge of the custom circular saw blade."


2

To interlock or mesh together (specifically referring to the cogs of gears).

Example

"The intricately milled gears toothed perfectly, allowing the grandfather clock's mechanism to run smoothly."

Synonyms
View all synonyms for tooth
Antonyms
View all antonyms for tooth

• Rhymes for tooth

Word Origin & Etymology

From Old English 'tōth', of Germanic origin; related to Dutch 'tand' and German 'Zahn', from an Indo-European root shared by Latin 'dens' and Greek 'odous'.

Usage Trend

Historical frequency of usage in published text.

180019102020

Cite this Entry


Wordmom. (2026). Definition of Tooth. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Nov 5, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/tooth
Built for writers, students, and competitive word game players, Wordmom combines an uncluttered English dictionary and thesaurus with fast, pattern-based word finders so you can verify definitions, synonyms, and high-scoring tile plays in one place.
Dictionary & Reference
© 2016–2026 Wordmom Network. All rights reserved. Made with for word lovers everywhere.
Disclaimer: SCRABBLE® is a registered trademark. All intellectual property rights in and to the game are owned in the U.S.A. and Canada by Hasbro Inc., and throughout the rest of the world by J.W. Spear & Sons Limited of Maidenhead, Berkshire, England, a subsidiary of Mattel Inc. Mattel and Spear are not affiliated with Hasbro. Words With Friends® is a registered trademark of Zynga Inc. Wordle® is a registered trademark of The New York Times Company. Other referenced game titles and tournament lexicon codes (including NASPA NWL and WESPA/HarperCollins CSW) are trademarks of their respective owners. Wordmom is an independent reference utility for educational and entertainment purposes and is not affiliated with, sponsored by, or endorsed by Hasbro, Mattel, Spear, Zynga, The New York Times Company, NASPA, WESPA, or HarperCollins Publishers. All game names are referenced strictly under nominative fair use to indicate compatibility.