gnash: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1Literary, Formal
Quick answer
What does “gnash” mean?
To grind or strike (the teeth) together, especially as a sign of strong emotion like anger or pain.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
To grind or strike (the teeth) together, especially as a sign of strong emotion like anger or pain.
To produce a harsh, grating sound, often figuratively extended to grinding or grating actions.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant differences in meaning or usage between British and American English.
Connotations
Identical connotations of anger, frustration, and grinding pain in both varieties.
Frequency
Slightly more frequent in literary contexts, but overall low frequency in general speech in both regions.
Grammar
How to Use “gnash” in a Sentence
[Subject] + gnash + [Object: teeth][Subject] + gnash + [Adjunct: in/with emotion]Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “gnash” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- He would gnash his teeth in his sleep, a habit that worried the dentist.
- The villain gnashed his teeth in fury at his defeat.
American English
- Fans gnashed their teeth when the referee made the controversial call.
- I could hear him gnashing his teeth from across the room.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rare. May appear metaphorically: "Investors could only gnash their teeth as the stock price plummeted."
Academic
Used in literary analysis, historical texts (e.g., referencing the biblical phrase), and psychological descriptions of anger.
Everyday
Uncommon. Mostly understood via the idiom. A parent might say, "I was gnashing my teeth waiting for you to come home."
Technical
Not applicable in technical domains.
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “gnash”
- Incorrect spelling: "nash," "gnarsh."
- Incorrect usage: *"He gnashed his fist" (object must be teeth).
- Confusion with "gash" (a deep cut).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Primarily, yes. Its core meaning is grinding teeth together. It can be used figuratively for other grating sounds (e.g., "gnashing gears"), but this is less common.
They are often synonymous. 'Gnash' often implies a more audible, violent, or emotional action (anger, pain), while 'grind' can be more habitual or subconscious (like during sleep).
It is a recurring phrase in the King James Bible (New Testament), used to describe the despair of those excluded from the Kingdom of Heaven. It has entered literary English as an idiom for profound regret and anguish.
Yes. The word is pronounced /næʃ/. The 'g' is silent, as in 'gnat' and 'gnaw'.
To grind or strike (the teeth) together, especially as a sign of strong emotion like anger or pain.
Gnash is usually literary, formal in register.
Gnash: in British English it is pronounced /næʃ/, and in American English it is pronounced /næʃ/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “gnash one's teeth”
- “weeping and gnashing of teeth (biblical/literary idiom expressing despair and regret)”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: "GNASH" sounds like "SMASH" but with your teeth. When you're angry, you might want to SMASH something, but you GNASH your teeth instead.
Conceptual Metaphor
ANGER IS GRINDING / FRUSTRATION IS A PHYSICAL GRATING ACTION.
Practice
Quiz
What is the most typical object of the verb 'to gnash'?