toothiest

Toothiest is the superlative of toothy, meaning that something has the greatest degree of being toothy: it has especially numerous, large, prominent, or conspicuous teeth. The word is most often applied to smiles and grins, as in 'the toothiest grin in the room,' where it can convey both an impressive display of teeth and a playful sense of exaggerated cheerfulness. It may also describe a person or animal whose teeth are especially noticeable. Although the comparison can be literal, as when identifying the animal with the most visible teeth, the word frequently carries a humorous or affectionate tone. In ordinary English, 'toothy' supplies the underlying idea, while the superlative ending '-iest' intensifies it. Toothiest is therefore useful for vivid comparative descriptions and comic emphasis, although a more formal expression may be preferable in precise scientific or historical prose.

Having the most prominent or conspicuous teeth; the superlative of toothy.

Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.

Where does toothiest come from?

Toothiest was formed by adding the superlative suffix '-est' to toothy, which in turn derives from the English word tooth by adding '-y'. English tooth descends from Old English tōþ and ultimately from a Germanic root represented in cognates such as German Zahn and Dutch tand. The same Germanic root underlies related English words including toothless, toothache, and toothbrush.

How toothiest is actually used

This is standard English, but its use with people, animals, smiles, and grins often has a playful or humorous tone. In formal prose, the periphrase 'most toothy' may be clearer in some contexts.

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Words and phrases paired with toothiest

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