to chew

Examples

• All

• Practical tips include not skipping meals, not 'eating on the go,' and chewing food well.

  Academic text (2012)

• It's very simple and please do not chew with your mouth open.

• OK, This is when we chew, say, an apple.

• But I have to kind of chew it up for him.

  The Place Beyond the Pines (2013)

• Do you just chew them?

  My Old Ass (2024)

• And then the more I chew it up, the more enjoyable it is.

  Kara and Nate

• But you know, like with my mouth, I chew finger foods.

  Molly Burke

• Take your time when eating meals, ensuring you sit down to eat and chew your food well.

  Academic text (2012)

• Chew your food.

  Sister, Sister (1987)

• Meal times should be quiet and relaxed; food should be chewed thoroughly and not gulped down.

  Academic text (1991)

Synonyms

N

to nibble

vsto chew

56 2.0

To eat small, gentle bites slowly or a little at a time

is more forceful grinding to make food easier to swallow

M

to munch

vsto chew

43 2.6

To chew food noisily, often making a crunching sound

is quieter and does not emphasize loud grinding

C

to chomp

vsto chew

31 4.0

To bite or chew food loudly with big jaw movements

is milder and focuses on ordinary biting and grinding for swallowing

G

to gnaw

vsto chew

30 3.2

Bite or chew something again and again to make it smaller

is aimed at processing food for swallowing not wearing it away

C

to crunch

vsto chew

28 1.8

To bite or step on something so it breaks with a loud, sharp sound

is about preparing food to swallow rather than making loud noises

M

to munch on

vsto chew

• Informal

14 2.9

To eat something while chewing loudly and enjoying it

is the neutral process without the added noise or enthusiasm

M

to masticate

vsto chew

2 7.9

To chew food by biting and grinding it with the teeth

is the neutral action of biting and grinding food to make swallowing easier

M

to manducate

vsto chew

• Formal

9.9

To chew food with the teeth

is the everyday neutral term rather than a technical label

Idioms

C

to chew the fat

• Informal

3 7.9

Talk in a friendly, relaxed way for a long time

C

to chew the scenery

• Informal

1 9.6

To act in a very exaggerated way to get attention in plays or films

W

to walk and chew gum at the same time

• Informal

1 7.2

To do two simple things at the same time

C

to chew the meat and spit out the bones

• Informal

8.0

Keep the useful parts and ignore the rest

C

to chew the cud

• Informal

7.7

To talk in a relaxed way about old times

M

mad enough to chew nails

• Archaic

9.9

Very angry and ready to do something extreme

Phrasal Verbs

C

to chew on

• Informal

14 3.9

To think carefully about something for a while before deciding

C

to chew out

• Informal

13 7.0

Scold someone angrily in front of others

C

to chew up

5 3.9

To damage something badly, often by biting or tearing

C

to chew over

• Informal

3 4.1

To think about or talk about something carefully for a long time

C

to chew off

3 3.5

To bite something until it comes off

C

to chew up

2 4.6

To use up resources like time or data very quickly

C

to chew up

• Informal

2 7.1

To scold someone angrily and severely

Compounds

P

pa chew cheng

9.9

A traditional Chinese cake with a soft, chewy texture and sweet flavor

How Hard

to chomp

31 4.0

to gnaw

30 3.2

to chew

457 1.0

nibble

12 3.2

Surface Forms

Etymology