English vocabulary · B2
Gnaw
/nɑː/ · v.
Gnaw means to bite something many times with small, steady bites. It can also mean to worry someone slowly.
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Example sentences
- The puppy gnawed the toy under the chair.
- Worry gnawed at him all night.
Word origin and roots
from Old English
- gnagan — bite repeatedly (from Old English)
Synonyms and nuances
- CHEW — crush food before swallowing (Work With The Teeth)
- NIBBLE — bite gently in small pieces (Take Tiny Bites)
- BITE — cut once with the teeth (Close The Teeth)
Similar words
- chew
- nibble
- bite
Lesson notes
Gnaw means to bite something many times with small, steady bites. It can also mean to worry someone slowly.
Related: chew, nibble, bite. Use gnaw when small bites continue again and again.
The puppy gnawed the toy under the chair. Worry gnawed at him all night.
From Old English. gnagan means bite repeatedly. Old English gnagan became English gnaw. The old biting sound still lives in gnaw.