Teeth: meaning, definitions and examples

๐Ÿ˜
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teeth

 

[ tiหฮธ ]

Noun
Context #1 | Noun

in the mouth

Teeth are hard, white structures found in the mouth that are used for biting and chewing food. They are made of enamel, dentin, and pulp. The average adult human has 32 teeth, including incisors, canines, premolars, and molars.

Synonyms

canines, incisors, molars, premolars.

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Word Description / Examples
teeth

A general term for the hard, bony structures in the mouth used for biting and chewing.

  • She has a beautiful set of teeth.
  • Brush your teeth twice a day.
molars

Large, flat teeth at the back of the mouth that are used for grinding food.

  • Wisdom teeth are actually molars.
  • I went to the dentist to have my molar filled.
incisors

The front teeth that are used for cutting food. They are flat and sharp-edged.

  • He chipped one of his incisors.
  • Incisors are the first teeth to come in for toddlers.
canines

Teeth that are pointed and used for tearing food. They are located next to the incisors.

  • The dog bared its sharp canines.
  • Humans have four canines.
premolars

Teeth located between the canines and molars that help in crushing and tearing food.

  • She had a cavity in one of her premolars.
  • Premolars are also known as bicuspids.

Examples of usage

  • The dentist examined my teeth for cavities.
  • I need to brush my teeth after every meal.
  • She flashed her bright white teeth in a smile.
Context #2 | Noun

gear mechanism

Teeth can also refer to the small, pointed parts on a gear mechanism that mesh with another gear to transmit motion. The number of teeth on a gear determines its speed and torque.

Synonyms

cogs, gear teeth, sprockets.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
teeth

Used primarily to refer to the structures in the mouth used for biting and chewing. Can also be used metaphorically to describe the cutting parts of tools or machinery.

  • She brushed her teeth before going to bed.
  • The saw's teeth need to be sharpened.
cogs

Refers to the individual teeth or projections on a wheel or gear that engage with other parts to transmit motion. Can also be used metaphorically to describe parts of a larger mechanism or system, often implying a small but essential role.

  • The cogs in the clockwork mechanism were finely tuned.
  • He felt like just another cog in the corporate machine.
sprockets

Usually refers to the toothed wheels in machinery, especially in bicycles and mechanical systems, that engage with a chain or track to transfer motion. Generally used in a technical or mechanical context.

  • The chain slipped off the bicycle sprocket.
  • They examined the sprockets to ensure they were properly aligned.
gear teeth

Specifically refers to the individual teeth on the edge of a gear that interlock with other gear teeth to transmit motion and force.

  • The gear teeth were worn out and needed replacement.
  • You could hear the grinding of the gear teeth as the machine started.

Examples of usage

  • The gear has 24 teeth.
  • The teeth of the two gears interlock smoothly.

Translations

Translations of the word "teeth" in other languages:

๐Ÿ‡ต๐Ÿ‡น dentes

๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ณ เคฆเคพเค‚เคค

๐Ÿ‡ฉ๐Ÿ‡ช Zรคhne

๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ฉ gigi

๐Ÿ‡บ๐Ÿ‡ฆ ะทัƒะฑะธ

๐Ÿ‡ต๐Ÿ‡ฑ zฤ™by

๐Ÿ‡ฏ๐Ÿ‡ต ๆญฏ (ha)

๐Ÿ‡ซ๐Ÿ‡ท dents

๐Ÿ‡ช๐Ÿ‡ธ dientes

๐Ÿ‡น๐Ÿ‡ท diลŸler

๐Ÿ‡ฐ๐Ÿ‡ท ์ด (i)

๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฆ ุฃุณู†ุงู† (asnan)

๐Ÿ‡จ๐Ÿ‡ฟ zuby

๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฐ zuby

๐Ÿ‡จ๐Ÿ‡ณ ็‰™้ฝฟ (yรกchว)

๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฎ zobje

๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ธ tennur

๐Ÿ‡ฐ๐Ÿ‡ฟ ั‚ั–ัั‚ะตั€ (ั‚ั–ัั‚ำฉั€)

๐Ÿ‡ฌ๐Ÿ‡ช แƒ™แƒ‘แƒ˜แƒšแƒ”แƒ‘แƒ˜ (k'bilebi)

๐Ÿ‡ฆ๐Ÿ‡ฟ diลŸlษ™r

๐Ÿ‡ฒ๐Ÿ‡ฝ dientes

Etymology

The word 'teeth' has Old English origins, with roots in the Proto-Germanic word 'tanth', which is related to the Latin 'dent-' and the Greek 'odous'. The concept of teeth has been essential for human survival and evolution, as they are crucial for chewing food and maintaining overall health.

See also: tooth.

Word Frequency Rank

At position #2,230, this word belongs to solid intermediate vocabulary. It's frequently used in both casual and formal contexts and is worth learning for better fluency.