What is the difference between 'toothache' and 'a sore tooth'?

'Toothache' is the general noun for pain in a tooth or teeth. 'A sore tooth' is more informal and specific, describing one particular tooth that is painful.

Why is the plural 'teeth' and not 'tooths'?

'Teeth' is an example of an 'umlaut' or 'i-mutation' plural, a historical sound change in Old English where the vowel in the plural form changed (ō > ē). Similar irregular plurals include 'foot/feet' and 'goose/geese'.

Can 'tooth' be used as a verb?

Yes, though it is technical. As a verb, 'to tooth' means to provide something with teeth or tooth-like projections, such as a gear, saw, or comb. It can also mean to mesh or interlock.

What does the idiom 'long in the tooth' mean?

It means old or past one's prime. It originally referred to horses, whose gums recede with age, making their teeth appear longer.

tooth

UK/tuːθ/US/tuθ/

Neutral

My Flashcards

Definition

Meaning

Each of the hard, white structures in the mouth used for biting and chewing food.

Any projecting part or series of parts resembling teeth in shape or function (e.g., gear tooth, saw tooth). A taste or appetite for something.

Linguistics

Semantic Notes

The plural form 'teeth' is an irregular umlaut plural. Can refer to power or effectiveness when used in certain idioms.

Dialectal Variation

British vs American Usage

Differences

Minor spelling differences in compounds (e.g., 'toothache' is universal). 'Tooth fairy' is a common cultural concept in both. Some brand names for dental products may differ.

Connotations

Similar connotations of health, hygiene, and appearance in both varieties.

Frequency

Similar high frequency in everyday speech.

Vocabulary

Collocations

strong

brush yourwisdomfrontbabysweetfalserotten

medium

decayedknocked out acappedgrit one'scut a

weak

fighteyewitnessfineskin of your

Grammar

Valency Patterns

have a tooth outget a tooth pulledcut a toothshow one's teethsink one's teeth into

Vocabulary

Synonyms

Weak

fangtuskmolarincisor

Phrases

Idioms & Phrases

“fight tooth and nail”
“long in the tooth”
“get one's teeth into something”
“armed to the teeth”
“a sweet tooth”
“like pulling teeth”

Usage

Context Usage

Business

Rarely used directly. May appear in marketing for dental products or health insurance.

Academic

Common in biological, anatomical, and dental studies. Also used metaphorically in law or politics ('the teeth of the law').

Everyday

Extremely common in discussions of health, hygiene, food, and childhood development.

Technical

Precise terminology in dentistry (e.g., canine, premolar). Also in engineering for gear teeth.

Examples

By Part of Speech

verb

British English

The cogs need to mesh perfectly, so each one must be carefully toothed.
The saw was newly toothed for a cleaner cut.

American English

The gear was toothed to fit the new mechanism.
The law was finally toothed with real financial penalties.

adjective

British English

The toothed wheel was the cause of the grinding noise.
She prefers a fine-toothed comb for her hair.

American English

We need a sharp-toothed saw for this job.
The toothed edges of the leaf are distinctive.

Examples

By CEFR Level

I brush my teeth twice a day.
The baby is getting a new tooth.
My tooth hurts.

I think I have a cavity, so I need to see the dentist about this tooth.
He lost a tooth playing rugby.
These biscuits are lovely, but they're not kind to a sweet tooth.

Despite the new regulations, critics argue the policy lacks the teeth needed for real enforcement.
She fought tooth and nail to get the project approved.
The documentary really gets its teeth into the issue of plastic pollution.

The agreement's enforcement mechanisms were deliberately left short-toothed to ensure quick ratification.
The old stallion was long in the tooth but still possessed a fiery spirit.
The statute's punitive teeth were finally bared in a landmark court ruling.

Learning

Memory Aids

Mnemonic

Think of the word 'TOOTH' looking like a smiling mouth with two 'O's as eyes and the 'TH' as the two front teeth.

Conceptual Metaphor

TEETH ARE WEAPONS/CUTTING TOOLS (e.g., 'the bite of the law', 'cutting remarks'). TEETH ARE INDICATORS OF HEALTH/VITALITY (e.g., 'long in the tooth' for old age).

Watch out

Common Pitfalls

Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)

Confusing 'tooth' (зуб) with 'teeth' (зубы) due to the irregular plural. The idiom 'long in the tooth' does not relate to literal tooth length in Russian. The compound 'sweet tooth' (сластёна) is not directly translatable.

Common Mistakes

Using 'tooths' as the plural. Incorrect article use: 'I have pain in *the* tooth' vs. 'I have *a* toothache'. Confusing 'tooth' with 'teeth' in fixed expressions.

Practice

Quiz

Fill in the gap

After the scandal, the committee vowed to put into the new ethics code. (Hint: an idiom meaning 'effective power')

Multiple Choice

What is the correct plural form of 'tooth'?

FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

: 'Toothache' is the general noun for pain in a tooth or teeth. 'A sore tooth' is more informal and specific, describing one particular tooth that is painful.
: 'Teeth' is an example of an 'umlaut' or 'i-mutation' plural, a historical sound change in Old English where the vowel in the plural form changed (ō > ē). Similar irregular plurals include 'foot/feet' and 'goose/geese'.
: Yes, though it is technical. As a verb, 'to tooth' means to provide something with teeth or tooth-like projections, such as a gear, saw, or comb. It can also mean to mesh or interlock.
: It means old or past one's prime. It originally referred to horses, whose gums recede with age, making their teeth appear longer.

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A1 · 49 words · Parts of the body and basic health vocabulary.

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