Tooth Meaning and Definition
Tooth
Pronunciation
/tuːθ/
Part of Speech
Noun
Definition
A hard, calcified structure within the mouth, typically white or yellowish in color, used for biting and chewing food.
Examples
- The dentist cleaned the patient’s teeth.
- She brushed her teeth twice a day.
Synonyms
- Enamel
- Bone
Antonyms
- Conduit
- Chimera
Etymology
The word “tooth” comes from the Old English word “tōþ”, derived from the Proto-Germanic word “*tūthiz”, which is also the source of the modern German word “Zahn”.
Usage Notes
The word “tooth” can be used as a singular or plural noun.
Cultural References
The character Peter Rabbit, created by Beatrix Potter, is known for losing his two front teeth.
Idiomatic Expressions or Phrases
- “Get a toothache” means to experience a sudden, intense pain in one’s mouth or tooth.
- “Lost one’s teeth” is an idiomatic phrase meaning to lose one’s ability to speak or articulate clearly.
Related Words or Phrases
- Dentist
- molar
- canine
Collocations
- brush one’s teeth
- lose a tooth
- get a filling
Frequency of Use
The word “tooth” is a commonly used term in everyday conversation and is often used in medical and dental contexts.
Common Misspellings
- toothes
- touth