Gnaw: meaning, definitions and examples

๐Ÿฆท
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gnaw

 

[ nษ”ห ]

Verb / Noun
Context #1 | Verb

action

To bite or chew on something repeatedly, often making a loud, unpleasant noise.

Synonyms

bite, chew, masticate.

Examples of usage

  • The dog would gnaw on his bone for hours.
  • She could hear the mouse gnawing on the wood in the walls.
  • The baby likes to gnaw on his teething ring.
  • The beaver gnawed through the tree trunk with ease.
  • The termite gnawed away at the wooden structure.
Context #2 | Noun

sound

A persistent, annoying sound of something being chewed or gnawed on.

Synonyms

chewing noise, nibbling sound.

Examples of usage

  • The gnaw of the mouse in the walls kept her awake at night.

Translations

Translations of the word "gnaw" in other languages:

๐Ÿ‡ต๐Ÿ‡น roer

๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ณ เค•เฅเคคเคฐเคจเคพ

๐Ÿ‡ฉ๐Ÿ‡ช nagen

๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ฉ menggerogoti

๐Ÿ‡บ๐Ÿ‡ฆ ะณั€ะธะทั‚ะธ

๐Ÿ‡ต๐Ÿ‡ฑ gryลบฤ‡

๐Ÿ‡ฏ๐Ÿ‡ต ใ‹ใ˜ใ‚‹ (kajiru)

๐Ÿ‡ซ๐Ÿ‡ท ronger

๐Ÿ‡ช๐Ÿ‡ธ roer

๐Ÿ‡น๐Ÿ‡ท kemirmek

๐Ÿ‡ฐ๐Ÿ‡ท ๊ฐ‰๋‹ค (galda)

๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฆ ู‚ุถู… (qadm)

๐Ÿ‡จ๐Ÿ‡ฟ hlodat

๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฐ hrรฝzลฅ

๐Ÿ‡จ๐Ÿ‡ณ ๅ•ƒ (kฤ›n)

๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฎ glodati

๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ธ naga

๐Ÿ‡ฐ๐Ÿ‡ฟ ะบะตะผั–ั€ัƒ

๐Ÿ‡ฌ๐Ÿ‡ช แƒฆแƒ แƒฆแƒœแƒ (ghrghna)

๐Ÿ‡ฆ๐Ÿ‡ฟ qษ™mir

๐Ÿ‡ฒ๐Ÿ‡ฝ roer

Etymology

The word 'gnaw' originated from the Old English word 'gnagan', which meant 'to gnaw'. This word has been used for centuries to describe the action of biting or chewing on something repeatedly. The sound of gnawing has been associated with rodents like mice and beavers, as well as the act of chewing on bones or hard objects. 'Gnaw' is a versatile word that captures the essence of persistent chewing or biting.

See also: gnawer, gnawing.

Word Frequency Rank

At rank #26,950, this word represents specialized academic or technical vocabulary. It's less frequently encountered but may be valuable in specific contexts.