chew
B1Neutral to informal; core sense is everyday, extended sense often used in figurative language.
Definition
Meaning
to crush and grind food with the teeth to prepare it for swallowing.
To think about or consider something carefully and for a long time; to damage or wear something away by repeated biting or gnawing.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
Often implies a repetitive or thorough action. Figurative use (chew over) focuses on prolonged mental consideration.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Minimal. The phrasal verb 'chew out' (to scold severely) is more common in American English. British English may prefer 'tell off'.
Connotations
Similar in both varieties. Figurative use ('chew on an idea') is equally common.
Frequency
Slightly higher frequency in US English due to the commonality of 'chewing gum' and products like 'chew toys' for pets.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
[S] chew [O] (e.g., He chewed the gum)[S] chew on/at [O] (e.g., The dog chewed on the bone)[S] chew [O] over (e.g., Let me chew it over)[S] get chewed out [by O] (e.g., I got chewed out by my boss)Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “chew the fat (to chat informally)”
- “chew the cud (to ponder)”
- “chew someone out (to scold)”
- “bite off more than you can chew (to take on too much)”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Figurative: 'We need to chew over the proposal before committing.' Also in feedback: 'The boss chewed him out for missing the deadline.'
Academic
Rare in core sense. Figurative use in humanities: 'The text invites us to chew on these complex ideas.'
Everyday
Very common: chewing food, gum, or objects; chatting ('chew the fat'); thinking ('chew it over').
Technical
Used in dentistry/biology (mastication). In engineering: 'abrasive wear' similar to chewing.
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- Make sure you chew your food properly.
- We sat in the pub, chewing the fat for hours.
- The puppy has chewed up my favourite slippers again.
American English
- Don't forget to chew your gum quietly.
- My coach chewed me out for being late to practice.
- I need a few days to chew over your offer.
adverb
British English
- He ate chewily and without haste.
- (Rarely used; 'chewing noisily' is more common.)
American English
- The toddler chewed messily on his toast.
- (Rarely used; 'chewing thoughtfully' is more common.)
adjective
British English
- The chew toy was destroyed in minutes.
- This steak is not very chew-friendly; it's too tough.
American English
- He bought some chew sticks for the dog.
- The candy had a nice, chewy texture.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- The baby is learning to chew solid food.
- Please don't chew with your mouth open.
- It's important to chew your food well for good digestion.
- My dog loves to chew on old shoes.
- We spent the evening chewing the fat about old times.
- The committee will need to chew over the budget proposal.
- He was still chewing on the philosophical implications of the article.
- The constant criticism began to chew away at her confidence.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
CHEW sounds like 'choo' from a train - imagine a train (your jaw) chugging (chewing) along a track (your food).
Conceptual Metaphor
THINKING IS CHEWING (e.g., chew on a problem, chew over an idea, digest information).
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Do not translate the idiom 'chew the fat' as 'жевать жир'. It means 'болтать, трепаться'.
- 'Chew out' is not 'выжевать'. It means 'ругать, отчитывать'.
- Avoid using 'chew' for soft foods that don't require much grinding (like yoghurt). Use 'eat'.
Common Mistakes
- Incorrect: 'He chewed his nails.' (Correct: 'He bit his nails.') 'Chew' implies a grinding action, not a single bite.
- Incorrect preposition: 'Chew on this idea' is more natural than 'chew at this idea' for figurative use.
Practice
Quiz
Which of the following uses 'chew' in a figurative sense?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No. While the core meaning involves food, it is commonly used for objects (chew a pen) and figuratively for thinking (chew over an idea) or talking (chew the fat).
'Bite' is the action of closing the teeth on something, often once. 'Chew' is the repeated grinding action that happens after biting, to break food down.
Yes, 'masticate' is the formal or technical synonym for 'chew', commonly used in scientific, medical, or formal contexts.
Yes, though less common. It can mean an act of chewing ('had a good chew on that toffee') or something meant for chewing, like a piece of tobacco ('a plug of chew').