gum

A2 · Elementary Uncountable noun

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

n. 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.”

B2 · Upper Intermediate Uncountable noun Science Technical

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

n. 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.”

B2 · Upper Intermediate Countable noun Science

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

n. 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.”

B2 · Upper Intermediate

v. to join things together using a sticky substance.

v. 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.”

C1 · Advanced Informal

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

v. 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.”