# gum

/ˈɡəm/ (US) · /ɡˈʌm/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/gum
Updated: 2026-08-15

## Senses

### 1. flesh around teeth

noun · CEFR A2

the pink, firm flesh in your mouth that holds your teeth in place.

For teachers: the firm connective tissue and associated mucous membrane that surrounds the alveolar ridges of the jaws and encloses the necks of the teeth.

- You should brush gently to avoid hurting your gums.
- The dentist noted significant inflammation of the patient's gums, suggesting the early stages of periodontal disease.

Usage: Usually used in the plural form when referring to the mouth tissue.

### 2. chewing gum

noun · CEFR A2

a sweet, rubbery substance that you chew for a long time but do not swallow.

For teachers: a sweetened, flavoured preparation, typically made of chicle or synthetic rubber, intended for prolonged mastication.

- He popped a piece of mint gum into his mouth after lunch.
- The school board implemented a strict policy against chewing gum in classrooms to prevent damage to the underside of the desks.

### 3. sticky plant substance

noun · CEFR B2 · Technical

a sticky liquid that comes out of some trees and plants and becomes hard when dry.

For teachers: a viscous, often water-soluble polysaccharide exudate from certain plants that hardens upon exposure to air.

- The artist used a natural gum to thicken the paint.
- Acacia trees produce a specific type of gum that has been used for centuries as a stabilizer in food and ink production.

### 4. a type of tree

noun · CEFR B2

a type of tree that produces a sticky substance, such as a eucalyptus tree.

For teachers: any of various trees that exude gum, particularly those of the genus Eucalyptus or Liquidambar.

- The koala spent the whole afternoon sleeping in the branches of a tall gum.
- The landscape was dominated by ancient gums, their silver bark peeling away in long strips under the intense summer heat.

### 5. to stick together

verb · CEFR B2

to join things together using a sticky substance.

For teachers: to smear, cover, or join with gum or a similar adhesive substance.

- She gummed the labels onto the jars of homemade jam.
- The technician carefully gummed the delicate components together, ensuring the adhesive did not seep into the internal circuitry.

### 6. to clog or ruin

verb · CEFR C1 · Informal

to stop something from working properly by making it sticky or messy.

For teachers: to impair the functioning of a mechanism or process, typically by the accumulation of a sticky or obstructive substance.

- Old oil had gummed up the engine, so it wouldn't start.
- Bureaucratic delays have gummed up the application process, leaving hundreds of residents in a state of legal uncertainty.

Usage: Commonly used with the particle 'up' as a phrasal verb.

## Examples

- I always chew sugar-free gum after lunch.
- The dentist checked my gums for signs of inflammation during the routine cleaning.
- While modern chewing gum is typically made from synthetic rubber, its historical predecessors were derived from natural resins like chicle or spruce sap.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.