masticate: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1/C2Formal, Scientific/Technical
Quick answer
What does “masticate” mean?
To chew food thoroughly.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
To chew food thoroughly.
To grind or crush something with the teeth in preparation for swallowing; to work material into a pulp with the jaws (e.g., chewing gum). Sometimes used figuratively to mean to think something over carefully.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in meaning. Slightly more likely to be encountered in formal writing or scientific contexts in both varieties.
Connotations
In both dialects, using 'masticate' instead of 'chew' in casual conversation is marked as formal, humorous, or deliberately pompous.
Frequency
Very low frequency in everyday speech in both regions. More common in written medical, biological, or dental texts.
Grammar
How to Use “masticate” in a Sentence
[Subject] masticates [Object]It is important to masticate [Object] thoroughly.Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “masticate” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- Dentists advise patients to masticate slowly after dental surgery.
- The recipe requires you to masticate the betel nut with the leaf.
American English
- It's crucial to masticate your food properly for good digestion.
- The cattle were quietly masticating their cud in the field.
adverb
British English
- N/A. No standard adverb form.
American English
- N/A. No standard adverb form.
adjective
British English
- N/A. The adjective is 'masticatory' (relating to chewing).
American English
- N/A. The adjective is 'masticatory' (relating to chewing).
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rare. Possibly in food industry R&D: 'The machine is designed to masticate the ingredients into a paste.'
Academic
Common in biology, dentistry, medicine: 'Herbivores masticate plant matter to break down cellulose.'
Everyday
Very rare and marked as formal/funny: 'Please masticate with your mouth closed.' (humorous tone)
Technical
Standard in relevant fields (dentistry, food science): 'The patient has difficulty masticating due to TMJ disorder.'
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “masticate”
- Using 'masticate' in casual conversation where 'chew' is expected, leading to unintended humour.
- Misspelling as 'masticate' (correct) vs. 'masticatte' or 'mastacate' (incorrect).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, essentially. It is the formal, scientific, or technical term for the act of chewing.
Use 'masticate' primarily in formal, academic, or technical writing (e.g., biology, dentistry). In everyday conversation, using 'chew' is always more natural. Using 'masticate' casually will sound humorous or pretentious.
Yes. The related noun is 'mastication'. The adjective is 'masticatory' (as in 'masticatory muscles').
No, it does not have any inherent rude or slang meanings. However, because it sounds like a formal term for a mundane bodily function, it is sometimes used in deliberately over-the-top or comedic contexts.
To chew food thoroughly.
Masticate is usually formal, scientific/technical in register.
Masticate: in British English it is pronounced /ˈmæstɪkeɪt/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈmæstəˌkeɪt/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “Masticate on that idea (figurative, rare).”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of 'MASTI-CATE' as 'MASTIffs CHEW/CATE' – big dogs chew thoroughly.
Conceptual Metaphor
THINKING IS CHEWING (e.g., 'chew over an idea', 'masticate on a problem').
Practice
Quiz
In which of the following contexts would the verb 'masticate' be MOST appropriate and natural?