What does chew mean?
Chew is a fundamental English verb describing the act of biting and grinding food with the teeth until it is soft enough to swallow. It is among the first eating actions children learn and appears constantly in everyday speech, from table manners to pet behavior, since dogs and other animals are often said to chew objects as well as food. Beyond the physical sense, chew extends naturally into metaphor: to "chew something over" is to turn an idea around in the mind much as teeth work on food, and to "chew the fat" is to pass time in relaxed conversation. Related derivatives include the adjective "chewable" and the noun "chewer." With ancient Germanic roots shared by words like "jaw" and "cheek," chew is both a humble household word and a small window into the deep history of the language.
To bite and grind food in the mouth with the teeth before swallowing.
"Rabbits chew constantly to keep their teeth worn down."
Also used figuratively in phrases such as "chew over" meaning to consider at length.
An act of chewing, or (informal) something to be chewed, especially a piece of tobacco or candy.
"He took a long chew of his tobacco."
As a noun, often used informally, especially in American English referring to chewing tobacco.
Rarely used except informally, e.g. referring to pieces of chewing tobacco or dog treats marketed as "chews."
"The puppy finished all three of her dental chews."
The word "chew" is a direct descendant of Old English cēowan — a verb so ancient that its relatives include "jaw" and "cheek," meaning your mouth has been described by the same root that describes what it does.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of chew
Chew descends from Old English cēowan, meaning to bite or gnaw, which itself traces back to Proto-Germanic *kewwan-. It shares a common Germanic root with words such as jaw, cheek, and chock, all of which relate to the mouth or to grinding and crushing motions. The word has remained remarkably stable in form and meaning across more than a thousand years of English.
Related word forms
How chew is actually used
Mostly neutral in register; the phrasal verbs "chew over" (ponder) and "chew the fat" (chat idly) are informal. The literal sense applies chiefly to food, but animals can chew objects too.
Easily confused with chew
"Chew" means to grind food with the teeth, whereas "choose" (with a different vowel sound) means to select from options.