gnaw

verb

ˈnȯ 

gnawed; gnawing; gnaws

transitive verb

1

a

: to bite or chew on with the teeth

especially : to wear away by persistent biting or nibbling

a dog gnawing a bone

b

: to make by gnawing

rats gnawed a hole

2

a

: to be a source of vexation to : plague

anxiety always gnawing him

b

: to affect like gnawing

hunger gnawing her vitals

3

: erode, corrode

intransitive verb

1

: to bite or nibble persistently

gnawing at his underlip

2

: to produce an effect of or as if of gnawing

waves gnawing away at the cliffs

gnawer

ˈnȯ(-ə)r 

noun

Synonyms

• bite (at)
• corrode
• eat
• erode
• fret
• nibble

Examples of gnaw in a Sentence

The dog was gnawing a bone.

He nervously gnawed on his fingernails.

Rabbits have gnawed at the hedge.

Rabbits had gnawed a hole in the hedge.

Recent Examples on the Web

Despite receiving multiple reports this spring about a family with an absent mother and gnawing hunger, DCFS never opened a case, The Times’ Rebecca Ellis reports. —Ryan Fonseca, Los Angeles Times, 2 Dec. 2024

For example, a baby teether can help soothe a fussy baby and still be fun for little ones to gnaw on. —Maya Polton, Parents, 20 July 2024

Tyson, the 58-year-old heavyweight legend who retired nearly two decades ago, hobbled around the ring and gnawed his glove anxiously, only occasionally returning fire. —Spencer Kornhaber, The Atlantic, 20 Nov. 2024

In the marketplace, there’s an impressive array of plush toys with baguettes, French fries and hot dogs for your pets to gnaw on to their heart’s content. —Jenn Harris, Los Angeles Times, 4 Nov. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Middle English gnawen, from Old English gnagan; akin to Old High German gnagan to gnaw

First Known Use

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1a

Phrases Containing gnaw

• gnaw at

Kids Definition

gnaw

verb

ˈnȯ 

1

a

: to bite or chew with the teeth

especially : to wear away by repeated biting or nibbling

dog gnawing a bone

b

: to make by gnawing

rats gnawed a hole

2

a

: annoy, irritate

worry gnawed at me day and night

b

: to affect like gnawing

gnawing hunger

gnawer

ˈnȯ(-ə)r 

noun