toothpick: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
B1Informal to Neutral
Quick answer
What does “toothpick” mean?
A small, thin, pointed piece of wood, plastic, or other material used to remove food particles from between the teeth.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A small, thin, pointed piece of wood, plastic, or other material used to remove food particles from between the teeth.
Any similar small, pointed object, sometimes used in cooking (e.g., to hold food together), in crafts, or as a delicate tool; also used metaphorically to describe someone very thin.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant lexical difference. The object is universally known and referred to by the same word.
Connotations
Identical core meaning. The metaphorical use for a thin person is equally understood in both varieties.
Frequency
Equally common in both dialects.
Grammar
How to Use “toothpick” in a Sentence
VERB + toothpick (use, get, need, take)toothpick + VERB (break, poke, work)ADJ + toothpick (wooden, plastic, tiny, handy)Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “toothpick” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- He would delicately toothpick a piece of lettuce from his molar.
American English
- She carefully toothpicked the olive onto the appetiser.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rare, except in manufacturing or retail contexts (e.g., 'toothpick sales').
Academic
Rare, except in historical/archaeological studies of personal hygiene.
Everyday
Very common in contexts of dining, personal care, and cooking.
Technical
Used in dentistry ('interdental aid'). In cooking, a specific tool for testing doneness or assembling food.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “toothpick”
Neutral
Weak
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “toothpick”
- Misspelling as 'tooth-pick' or 'tooth pick' (standard is one word).
- Using plural incorrectly (e.g., 'I need a teethpick').
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
It is one word: 'toothpick'.
Informally and rarely, yes. It means to use or probe with a toothpick (e.g., 'to toothpick a canapé together'). It is not standard.
They are often the same object. 'Toothpick' emphasises dental use; 'cocktail stick' emphasises its use in food service for holding snacks or garnishes.
It can be, as it comments directly on their thin physique. It's informal and often derogatory, similar to 'skinny' or 'stick'.
A small, thin, pointed piece of wood, plastic, or other material used to remove food particles from between the teeth.
Toothpick is usually informal to neutral in register.
Toothpick: in British English it is pronounced /ˈtuːθpɪk/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈtuθˌpɪk/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “(as) thin as a toothpick”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of the two words it's made from: a 'pick' for your 'tooth'.
Conceptual Metaphor
THINNESS IS A TOOTHPICK (e.g., 'He's a walking toothpick'). PRECISION/DELICACY IS A TOOTHPICK ACTION.
Practice
Quiz
In which context is the word 'toothpick' LEAST likely to be used?