chewed; chewing; chews
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
: to chew something
specifically
: to chew tobacco
see also:
-er/-est
1
: requiring chewing
—used especially of candy
2
of wine
: having or producing a dense, full-bodied mouthfeel
… a big wine with chewy tannins and a delicious chocolaty edge.—
Alison Napjus, Wine Spectator, 15 May 2006
Alison Napjus, Wine Spectator, 15 May 2006The wine feels thick and sticky on the palate, with a soft, chewy finish.—Monica Larner, Wine Enthusiast Magazine, October 2012
Monica Larner, Wine Enthusiast Magazine, October 2012Examples 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
Merve Ceylan,
Health,
25 June 2026
Those 23 teeth came from at least 20 different individuals, ranging from babies with their first tiny teeth to older adults with teeth worn down from decades of chewing.
—
ArsTechnica,
25 June 2026
Justin Brown,
AJC.com,
27 June 2026
Because they’re typically picked young, Castelvetranos retain their bright green color and have a soft chew.
—
Emily Saladino,
Bon Appetit Magazine,
25 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for chew
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Verb
Some people may also experience difficulty chewing or find food preparation more challenging.
—
Merve Ceylan,
Health,
25 June 2026
Those 23 teeth came from at least 20 different individuals, ranging from babies with their first tiny teeth to older adults with teeth worn down from decades of chewing.
—
ArsTechnica,
25 June 2026
Noun
That first bite delivers the crispy outside with a soft chew of rice, followed by the hot dog.
—
Justin Brown,
AJC.com,
27 June 2026
Because they’re typically picked young, Castelvetranos retain their bright green color and have a soft chew.
—
Emily Saladino,
Bon Appetit Magazine,
25 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for chew
Cite this Entry
“Chew.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/chew. Accessed 2 Jul. 2026.
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