Word
teeth
US/ˈtiθ/
UK/tˈiːθ/
Definitions
01plural of tooth
A1 · Beginner Plural noun
n. the hard, white objects in your mouth that you use for biting and chewing food.
n. the plural form of tooth; the hard, calcified structures found in the jaws of many vertebrates used for breakdown of food.
日本語:歯（複数）※
“You should brush your teeth at least twice a day to keep them healthy.”
“The dentist noted that the patient's teeth showed signs of significant wear, likely caused by grinding them during sleep.”
Usage
Irregular plural of 'tooth'.
Pitfall
I need to brush my tooths.
I need to brush my teeth.
Teeth is an irregular plural; do not add 's' to the end.
02power to enforce
C1 · Advanced Plural noun Informal
n. the power or ability to make sure a law or rule is followed.
n. the capacity for effective enforcement or the power to produce a desired effect, typically regarding legislation or contracts.
“The new environmental law has no teeth because there are no fines for breaking it.”
“Critics argued that the regulatory body lacked the teeth necessary to penalise multinational corporations for tax avoidance.”
Usage
Usually used with the verb 'give' or 'have'.
Antonyms
Real-World Examples
“You want to avoid that as much as possible, because the more bacteria, the more damage they’re going to do to your teeth and to your gums.” “The key to maintaining healthy teeth and gums is straightforward: brush your teeth twice daily, floss once a day, and make regular visits to your dentist for cleanings.” Etymology
From Middle English teth, plural of tothe, from Old English tēþ, nominative plural of tōþ, from earlier tœ̄þ, from Proto-Germanic tanþiz, nominative plural of tanþs, from Proto-Indo-European h₃dóntes, nominative plural of *h₃dónts.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Related words
Idioms
01. arm to the teeth
02. bare one's teeth
05. cut one's teeth
07. grit one's teeth
08. Hampsteads
In Literature
Original artwork AI generated for englishreference.com.
White Teeth · 2001-01-27 · Family saga
- Author:
- Zadie Smith
Zadie Smith's debut novel follows the interconnected lives of two wartime friends and their families living in multicultural London. The title refers to the physical traits that link different generations and ethnicities, using the image of a smile to explore themes of heritage, identity, and the immigrant experience in Britain.
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.A1 MoversIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.2.0–3.0TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 1.0–1.50–23TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.120–224
- Frequency
- Common
- Level
- A1 · Beginner
- Updated
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QR code
englishreference.com/q/teeth
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「日本語」 data: JMdict (EDRDG), CC BY-SA 4.0