Word
toothless
Phoneticstooth·less, stress on the first syllable
US/ˈtuθɫəs/
UK/tˈuːθləs/
Definitions
01having no teeth
B2 · Upper Intermediate
adj. having no teeth in the mouth.
adj. lacking teeth; edentulous.
“The old man gave a wide, toothless grin as he told his story.”
“The rescue center cared for several toothless senior dogs that required a specialized diet of soft, wet food.”
Synonyms
Antonyms
02lacking power
B2 · Upper Intermediate
adj. describing a rule, law, or group that has no real power to punish people or make them follow instructions.
adj. lacking the necessary power, authority, or means to be effective or to enforce regulations.
“Critics complained that the new environmental law was toothless because it had no fines.”
“Without the authority to impose financial sanctions, the regulatory body remained a toothless organization that companies simply ignored.”
Usage
Often used to describe laws, regulations, committees, or agreements.
Synonyms
Etymology
From Middle English tothles, from Old English tōþlēas, from Proto-Germanic *tanþlausaz (“toothless”), equivalent to tooth + -less. Cognate with Dutch tandeloos (“toothless”), German Low German tannlos (“toothless”), German zahnlos (“toothless”), Danish tandløs (“toothless”), Swedish tandlös (“toothless”), Icelandic tannlaus (“toothless”).
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
- 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.B2 FirstIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.5.5–6.5TOEFL 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: 4.0–4.572–94TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.785–944
- Frequency
- Occasional
- Level
- B2 · Upper Intermediate
- Updated
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