# tooth

/ˈtuθ/ (US) · /tˈuːθ/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/tooth
Updated: 2026-06-19

## Senses

### 2. on a tool or gear

noun · CEFR B2

a sharp, pointed part on the edge of a tool like a saw, or on a wheel in a machine.

For teachers: a sharp projection on the blade of a saw or the edge of a gear wheel designed to engage with another part.

- The saw was old and had a broken tooth, so it didn't cut straight.
- The technician noticed that a single chipped tooth on the primary drive gear was causing the entire assembly to vibrate.

### 4. surface texture

noun · CEFR C1 · Technical

the rough feeling of paper or film that helps paint or ink stick to it.

For teachers: the surface grain or roughness of a substrate, such as paper or canvas, which allows media to adhere effectively.

- This paper has a nice tooth that holds the charcoal very well.
- The artist preferred a heavy-weight paper with significant tooth to ensure the pastel layers would not slide off the surface.

### 5. to provide with teeth

verb · CEFR C2 · Formal · Technical

to cut or shape the edge of something so it has points like a saw.

For teachers: to furnish an object with teeth or to indent a surface so that it resembles a jagged edge.

- The machine is designed to tooth the metal strips automatically.
- The craftsman used a specialized file to tooth the edge of the blade before the final sharpening process.

## Examples

- I brush every tooth in my mouth twice a day.
- The dentist checked each tooth for signs of decay during the routine annual examination.
- While the primary function of the mammalian tooth is mechanical digestion, its structure and wear patterns provide paleontologists with vital data regarding the diet and environment of extinct species.

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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.