chew1 verbchew2 noun
chewchew1 /tʃuː/ ●●● S2 verb 
WORD ORIGINchew1
Origin:
Old English ceowanVERB TABLE
chew
| Simple Form | ||
| Present | I, you, we, they | chew |
| he, she, it | chews | |
| Past | I, you, he, she, it, we, they | chewed |
| Present perfect | I, you, we, they | have chewed |
| he, she, it | has chewed | |
| Past perfect | I, you, he, she, it, we, they | had chewed |
| Future | I, you, he, she, it, we, they | will chew |
| Future perfect | I, you, he, she, it, we, they | will have chewed |
| Continuous Form | ||
| Present | I | am chewing |
| he, she, it | is chewing | |
| you, we, they | are chewing | |
| Past | I, he, she, it | was chewing |
| you, we, they | were chewing | |
| Present perfect | I, you, we, they | have been chewing |
| he, she, it | has been chewing | |
| Past perfect | I, you, he, she, it, we, they | had been chewing |
| Future | I, you, he, she, it, we, they | will be chewing |
| Future perfect | I, you, he, she, it, we, they | will have been chewing |
EXAMPLES FROM OTHER DICTIONARIES
- Chew your food. Don't eat so quickly.
- Helen sat there, chewing a piece of gum.
- I chewed the toffee slowly.
- I gave the baby my key ring to chew on.
- My worst habit is chewing gum.
- There was a cow in the field, slowly chewing a mouthful of grass.
- You can just swallow oysters or you can chew them a little bit first.
- All around me camels sat peacefully chewing the cud.
- Come here, Sausage, don't chew that rug!
- Do you want to chew on that?
- Riven chewed bread which had turned to sand in his mouth.
- She finds an apple and chews it loudly, then she lifts her head and scans all around.
- The normally grass-rich ranges are barren, chewed down to dust by ravenous cattle.
- The squirrel did not chew bark to get at sap or something else.
- To relieve catarrh, chew raw garlic.
THESAURUS
to use your teeth to cut, crush, or chew something: · The dog bit me!· I sometimes bite my fingernails when I’m nervous.· He bit into the apple.
to keep biting something that is in your mouth: · Helen was chewing a piece of gum.· He was chewing on a cigar.
if an animal gnaws something, it bites it repeatedly: · The dog was in the yard gnawing on a bone.
to give someone or something a small sharp bite: · When I took the hamster out of his cage, he nipped me.
to take a lot of small bites from something: · A fish nibbled at the bait.· She sat at her desk, nibbling her sandwich.
to bite someone or something with a lot of force, so that your teeth go right into them: · The dog sank its teeth into my leg.· He sank his teeth into the steak.
informal to bite something and chew it in a noisy way: · The donkey was chomping on a carrot.· He was chomping away on big slice of toast.
if an insect stings you, it makes a very small hole in your skin. You use sting about bees, wasps, and scorpions, and bite about mosquitoes, ants, spiders, and snakes: · She stepped on a wasps’ nest and must have been stung at least 20 times.
Longman Language Activatorto bite something several times, especially food to keep biting something that is in your mouth: · Chew your food. Don't eat so quickly.· Helen sat there, chewing a piece of gum.chew on: · I gave the baby my key ring to chew on.
if an animal gnaws something, it bites it repeatedly in order to eat it or destroy it: · The dog lay in the yard and gnawed its bone.gnaw at: · The cat began to gnaw at the skin of the dead snake.gnaw through: · A rat's teeth are strong enough to gnaw through lead pipes.
if a bird pecks something, it makes quick repeated movements with its beak to try to bite it: · There was a red mark where the pigeon had pecked her hand.· The woodpecker's long beak is specially designed for pecking.peck at: · Hens pecked at the corn scattered on the ground.
to eat · Don't eat so fast - you'll get sick.· I'm so full. I couldn't eat another thing.· She was sitting on the wall, eating an apple.· Hey! - Someone's eaten all my chocolates.
to eat a particular thing: · I wasn't very hungry, so I just had a sandwich.· I think I'll just have one more piece of cake.have something for lunch/dinner/breakfast: · What shall we have for dinner?· I usually just have fruit for breakfast.
to bite food several times and turn it around in your mouth: · I chewed the toffee slowly.· There was a cow in the field, slowly chewing a mouthful of grass.
to make something go down your throat towards your stomach: · If you drink some water it will make the pills easier to swallow.· I threw a piece of meat to the dog and he swallowed it in one go.
to eat something soft by moving your tongue across its surface: · The children sat licking their ice creams.lick something off something: · Nina licked the melted chocolate off her fingers.
to eat or drink something - used especially in scientific or technical contexts: · In order to survive human beings need to consume food and water.· People who consume large amounts of animal fats are more likely to get cancer and heart disease.
to eat eagerly and with enjoyment: · Dinner's ready everyone. Dig in!· Nick was already at the table, tucking in.tuck into: · "This is delicious!'' he said, tucking into his steak and kidney pudding.
if animals or babies feed , they eat or drink: · Most new babies will want to feed every few hours.· The pigs were feeding from a trough in the middle of the yard.feed on: · The larvae feed on the young shoots of water-lilies.
American informal to eat, especially in a noisy way or in a way that shows you are very hungry: · We each grabbed a container of ice cream and chowed down.chow down on: · The kids were chowing down on a large pizza.
to tell someone off very angrily or loudly informal to shout at someone and make them suffer for doing something wrong: · I'd better go. My wife will give me hell if I'm late home again.· Caroline would give me hell for evermore if she thought I'd mistreated her best friend.
especially American to shout at or talk angrily to someone because they have done something wrong or annoying: · It was so embarrassing - he just started yelling at his wife.get yelled at spoken: · I got yelled at at school because I was wearing the wrong shirt.
American informal to talk very angrily to someone for a long time about something wrong that they have done: chew somebody out: · Even his mother used to chew him out in public.chew out somebody: · The Senate science and space subcommittee chewed out NASA for failing to conduct the necessary tests.chew somebody out for something/chew out somebody for something: · The boss called Diane into his office and chewed her out for losing the Thurman account.
informal to tell someone off and warn them about what will happen if they continue with their bad behaviour: · They'll read him the riot act if he ever shows his face again.
to tell someone off, especially in a way that makes them look stupid: give sb a dressing down for: · Elise was delighted I rang, but gave me a terrible dressing down for not ringing before or sending a postcard.
British informal to tell someone off by shouting at them. These are rude phrases: · Being bollocked by your daughter is a bit hard to take.bollock sb/give sb a bollocking for: · My dad gave me a real bollocking for crashing his car.
COLLOCATIONS FROM THE ENTRYCOLLOCATIONS FROM OTHER ENTRIES
a cow chewing its cud
a cow chewing its cud· He chewed the food slowly and carefully.
COLLOCATIONS FROM THE CORPUSNOUN· It is as much a pattern of their inner being as is tail-wagging or chewing the cud.· All around me camels sat peacefully chewing the cud.· After chewing the cud for a minute or two, they continue the fight.· A bout of feeding early in the morning is followed by a lie down during which they chew the cud.
· The horse softens food before swallowing by chewing the food between his molars with a sideways grinding action of the lower jaw.· If she chews each mouthful of food 32 times before swallowing, she probably does.· Gladstone had recommended chewing each bite thirty-two times, so Fletcher chewed every mouthful of food until it was pulverized into liquid.· He chewed his food by using his hand to move his jaw.· The sound of her mouth chewing the food.
· A trolley was wheeled past by two brutish-looking orderlies chewing gum.· They starved themselves and chewed gum laced with laxatives to lose weight.· Despite throwing chewing gum wrappers at stand-in boss Howard Wilkinson, he was still unable to get a game!· By comparison, lottery tickets can be bought as easily as chewing gum at hundreds of retail outlets and news agents.· Becky was chewing gum, Rufus thought.· Aileen was so nervous that her whole body was bobbing up and down as she chewed gum.· Ashley Haworth-Roberts, London Is there any physiological reason why chewing gum always keeps me awake while driving my car?· She often showed up late for class, and she chewed gum and tossed her ponytail and whispered and giggled with Servio.
· Emily chewed her lip, thinking about Hari and Craig.· He chewed his lower lip in a grudging silence.· Still trying to pull herself together, Merrill chewed her inner lip crossly.· Walter flew out the door; leaving Gordy and Ivan chewing their lips and wringing their hands.· Janine chewed her lip, staring spitefully at her child.· Kate chewed on her bottom lip.· Prince William, 10, chewed his lip anxiously while eight-year-old Harry stared wistfully ahead, dreaming of Christmases past.
· She chewed her nails in Muir of Ord.· When you left, Faunce was chewing nails!· And there one writing, probably a letter, holding the paper sideways and chewing her nails.
· The infant spat out its porridge, and even without teeth enjoyed chewing on a piece of bread.· Tai Ki had literally been chewed to pieces in midocean.
· She'd found some hawthorn berries on a bush and was chewing her way through one with every sign of enjoyment.· They watched it chew its faultless way through several plates.
PHRASES FROM THE ENTRYPHRASES FROM OTHER ENTRIES
1[intransitive, transitive] to bite food several times before swallowing it: - A bout of feeding early in the morning is followed by a lie down during which they chew the cud.
- After chewing the cud for a minute or two, they continue the fight.
- All around me camels sat peacefully chewing the cud.
- It is as much a pattern of their inner being as is tail-wagging or chewing the cud.
- And during his flying visit to Belfast, Mr Grade took time out to chew the fat about the old days.
- He made a shortened door, while Selwyn chewed the fat with Stapleton.
- Nowadays he liked nothing better than drinking rather too much with journalists, and chewing the fat.
- Randall stayed around chewing the fat for a while.
- Many kids who leave home to live alone find they have bitten off more than they can chew.
This meat’s so tough I can hardly chew it!chew at/on a dog chewing on a bone► see thesaurus at bite2[intransitive, transitive] to bite something continuously in order to taste it or because you are nervouschew on We gave the dog an old shoe to chew on.chew your lip/nailschew gum/tobacco3chew the cud if a cow or sheep chews the cud, it keeps biting on food it has brought up from its stomach4chew the fat informal to have a long friendly conversation → bite off more than you can chew at bite1(10)chew on something phrasal verb informal to think carefully about something for a period of timechew somebody ↔ out phrasal verb American English informal to talk angrily to someone in order to show them that you disapprove of what they have done: John couldn’t get the guy to cooperate and so I had to call and chew him out.chew something ↔ over phrasal verb to think carefully about something for a period of time: Let me chew it over for a few days.chew something ↔ up phrasal verb1to damage or destroy something by tearing it into small pieces: Be careful if you use that video recorder. It tends to chew tapes up.2to bite something many times with your teeth so that you can make it smaller or softer and swallow it: The dog’s chewed up my slippers again.chew1 verbchew2 noun
chewchew2 noun [countable] EXAMPLES FROM OTHER DICTIONARIES
- a recipe for chocolate walnut chews
- Babe Ruth accepts a plug of chew from his girlfriend before getting the game-winning hit.
- Rod Carew would insert a big chew to tighten his face and help him focus on an incoming pitch.
WORD SETS
afters, nounalmond, nounanchovy, nounapple, nounapricot, nounartichoke, nounasparagus, nounaspic, nounaubergine, nounavocado, nounbacon, nounbagel, nounbaguette, nounbaked beans, nounbanana, nounbap, nounbarley sugar, nounbatter, nounbear claw, nounbhaji, nounbiscuit, nounbisque, nounblancmange, nounbloater, nounblood orange, nounblue cheese, nounboiled sweet, nounbologna, nounbouillon, nounbread, nounbreadfruit, nounbreast, nounBrie, nounbrioche, nounbroad bean, nounbroccoli, nounbrownie, nounBrussels sprout, nounbubble and squeak, nounbullseye, nounburger, nounburrito, nounbutter, nounbutter bean, nounbutterfat, nounbutterscotch, nounCanadian bacon, nouncanapé, nouncandy apple, nouncandy cane, nouncandyfloss, nouncannelloni, nouncantaloup, nouncaramel, nouncarrot, nouncashew, nouncauliflower, nouncaviar, nouncelery, nouncereal, nouncheddar, nouncheeseburger, nouncheesecake, nounchew, nounchewing gum, nounchicken, nounchicken-fried steak, nounchilli, nounChinese leaves, nounchip, nounchipolata, nounchitterlings, nounchoc, nounchoccy, nounchoc-ice, nounchocolate, nounchocolate chip cookie, nounchop, nounchop suey, nounchowder, nounchow mein, nounChristmas cake, nounChristmas cookie, nounChristmas pudding, nounchutney, nounclementine, nouncock-a-leekie, nouncoconut, nouncod, nouncoleslaw, nouncollard greens, nouncompote, nouncoq au vin, nounCornish pasty, nouncouscous, nouncrème caramel, nouncrepe, nouncrumble, nouncurry, nounDanish, nounDanish pastry, noundessert, noundevil's food cake, noundigestive biscuit, noundill pickle, noundip, noundish, noundoorstep, noundory, noundouble cream, noundouble-decker, noundoughnut, noundressing, noundrumstick, nounduck, noundumpling, nounDundee cake, nounenchilada, nounfaggot, nounfava bean, nounfish, nounfish and chips, nounfishcake, nounfish finger, nounfish stick, nounflapjack, nounfoie gras, nounfondant, nounfondue, nounfortune cookie, nounfrankfurter, noungammon, noungarbanzo, noungâteau, noungelatin, nounghee, noungherkin, noungiblets, nounginger, adjectivegingerbread, nounginger nut, nounglacé, adjectiveglacé icing, noungoose, noungooseberry, noungoulash, noungranola, noungrape, noungrapefruit, noungravy, noungreen bean, noungreengage, noungreen onion, noungreen pepper, noungreen salad, noungriddlecake, nounguacamole, nounhaggis, nounhamburger, nounharicot, nounhash, nounhash browns, nounhazelnut, nounheavy, adjectiveheavy cream, nounhelping, nounhero, nounhock, nounhominy, nounhomogenized, adjectivehoney, nounhors d'oeuvre, nounhorseradish, nounhot-cross bun, nounhot dog, nounhotpot, nounhoumous, nounhuckleberry, nounhumbug, nounhumus, nounice, nouniceberg lettuce, nounice cream, nouningredient, nouninstant, adjectiveIrish stew, nouniron rations, nounjacket potato, nounjalapeño, nounjam, nounjambalaya, nounjawbreaker, nounJell-O, nounjelly, nounjelly baby, nounjelly bean, nounjelly roll, nounjerky, nounJerusalem artichoke, nounkabob, nounkale, nounkebab, nounkedgeree, nounkernel, nounketchup, nounkidney, nounkidney bean, nounkipper, nounkiwi fruit, nounkorma, nounkumquat, nounlamb, nounlasagne, nounleek, nounlemon, nounlemon curd, nounlemon sole, nounlentil, nounlettuce, nounlima bean, nounlime, nounlinguini, nounliquorice, nounliver, nounliver sausage, nounloaf, nounlobster, nounloganberry, nounlollipop, nounlox, nounlozenge, nounluncheon meat, nounlychee, nounmacaroni, nounmacaroon, nounmarzipan, nounmash, nounmatzo, nounmayo, nounmayonnaise, nounmeatball, nounmeatloaf, nounMelba toast, nounmelon, nounmeringue, nounmilk pudding, nounmincemeat, nounmince pie, nounminestrone, nounmixed grill, nounmonkey nut, nounmoussaka, nounmousse, nounmuesli, nounmuffin, nounmulberry, nounmullet, nounmulligatawny, nounmunchies, nounmush, nounmushy peas, nounmuskmelon, nounmussel, nounmutton, nounnachos, nounnan, nounneapolitan, adjectivenectarine, nounnonpareil, nounnoodle, nounnougat, nounoat cake, nounoatmeal, nounomelette, nounopen-faced sandwich, nounopen sandwich, nounorange, nounoven-ready, adjectiveoyster, nounpacked lunch, nounpaella, nounpancake, nounpantry, nounpapaya, nounpaprika, nounparfait, nounParmesan, nounparsley, nounparsnip, nounparson's nose, nounpassion fruit, nounpasta, nounpastrami, nounpastry, nounpasty, nounpâté, nounpatty, nounpavlova, nounpawpaw, nounpea, nounpeach, nounPeach Melba, nounpeanut, nounpeanut butter, nounpear, nounpease pudding, nounpecan, nounpemmican, nounpeppermint, nounpepperoni, nounpersimmon, nounpickle, nounpilchard, nounpineapple, nounpippin, nounpistachio, nounpitta bread, nounpizza, nounplantain, nounplum, nounplum pudding, nounpomegranate, nounpopcorn, nounpoppadom, nounPopsicle, nounpound cake, nounprofiterole, nounpudding, nounquiche, nounradish, nounragout, nounraisin, nounrasher, nounraspberry, nounravioli, nounredcurrant, nounred pepper, nounrelish, nounrice pudding, nounrisotto, nounrissole, nounroly-poly, nounsalad, nounsalsa, nounsamosa, nounsausage roll, nounsavoury, nounschnitzel, nounsemolina, nounshepherd's pie, nounsherbet, nounsoft-boiled, adjectivesole, nounsorbet, nounsoufflé, nounsoup, nounsour cream, nounsoy sauce, nounspaghetti, nounSpam, nounspare ribs, nounspeciality, nounspecialty, nounsponge, nounsubmarine sandwich, nounsuccotash, nounsucker, nounsummer pudding, nounsundae, nounsushi, nounsweet, nounsweetbread, nounsweetie, nounsweet roll, nounSwiss roll, nounSwiss steak, nounsyllabub, nountagliatelle, nounterrine, nountoad-in-the-hole, nounvol-au-vent, nounwafer, nounwaffle, nounwater biscuit, nounwater chestnut, nounwater ice, nounwatermelon, nounweenie, nounWelsh rarebit, nounwhip, nounwhipped cream, nounwhipping cream, nounYorkshire pudding, noun
COLLOCATIONS FROM OTHER ENTRIES a cow chewing its cud
a cow chewing its cud· He chewed the food slowly and carefully.
PHRASES FROM OTHER ENTRIES
1the act of biting something many times with your teeth2a sweet that you chew3a piece of tobacco that you chew but do not swallow- Many kids who leave home to live alone find they have bitten off more than they can chew.