toothpaste
- 01 A1 Beginner
n.a thick substance you use with a toothbrush to clean your teeth and keep your breath fresh.
n.a dentifrice in the form of a paste or gel, typically containing fluoride, used to clean teeth and promote oral health.
Simple“Don't forget to put some toothpaste on your brush before you start.”
In context“Dentists generally recommend using a pea-sized amount of fluoride toothpaste twice a day to prevent cavities and strengthen enamel.”
Synonymsdentifrice - 02 C2 Proficiency
v.to cover or spread toothpaste onto something.
v.to apply or smear toothpaste onto a surface or object. Transitive use is rare and often informal.
Simple“The toddler managed to toothpaste the entire bathroom mirror while I wasn't looking.”
In context“The pranksters had toothpasted the door handles of the dormitory, leaving a sticky, minty mess for the returning students.”
From tooth + paste. Compare Saterland Frisian Tuskepasta (“toothpaste”), West Frisian toskpoetserguod (“toothpaste”), Dutch tandpasta (“toothpaste”), German Zahnpasta, Zahnpaste (“toothpaste”), Danish tandpasta (“toothpaste”), Swedish tandpasta (“toothpaste”), Icelandic tannkrem (“toothpaste”).
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.