Chew: meaning, definitions and examples

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chew

[ tʃuː ]

^{Context #1}

eating

To bite and work (food) in the mouth with the teeth, especially to make it easier to swallow.

Synonyms

bite, gnaw, masticate

Examples of usage

I like to chew my food slowly.
He chewed on the tough steak for a while before swallowing.
She chewed her gum loudly during the movie.

^{Context #2}

informal

To think about something carefully or consider something fully.

Synonyms

consider, contemplate, ponder

Examples of usage

I need some time to chew it over before making a decision.
She chewed over the proposal with her team before presenting it.

^{Context #3}

informal

A long, hard-to-work-through problem or task.

Synonyms

challenge, dilemma, predicament

Examples of usage

This project is a real chew.

Translations

Translations of the word "chew" in other languages:

🇵🇹 mastigar

🇮🇳 चबाना

🇩🇪 kauen

🇮🇩 mengunyah

🇺🇦 жувати

🇵🇱 żuć

🇯🇵 噛む

🇫🇷 mâcher

🇪🇸 masticar

🇹🇷 çiğnemek

🇰🇷 씹다

🇸🇦 يمضغ

🇨🇿 žvýkat

🇸🇰 žuť

🇨🇳 咀嚼

🇸🇮 žvečiti

🇮🇸 tyggja

🇰🇿 шайнау

🇬🇪 ღეჭვა

🇦🇿 çeynəmək

🇲🇽 masticar

Word origin

The word 'chew' originates from the Old English word 'ceowan' which meant 'to bite, gnaw, chew'. Over time, the word has retained its basic meaning of the action of chewing, whether in the context of food or in a more metaphorical sense of thinking things over. The act of chewing has been essential to human survival and has cultural significance in various societies around the world.