Gnaw Meaning
/nɔː/Definition, CEFR level C1, pronunciation, examples, and quiz.
Listen pronunciation
Definition
verbTo bite something persistently, especially something tough.
verbTo produce excessive anxiety or worry.
Sentence Examples
My dog likes to gnaw on bones.
Don't gnaw your nails!
Concern had started to gnaw at his insides.
Synonyms & Antonyms
Synonyms:
Antonyms:
None
CEFR Practice Quiz
The hungry rat began to ____ through the wooden floor to reach food.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
The little rabbit began to ____ on the carrot, using its sharp front teeth to eat the vegetable quickly.
Word Origin & History
From Middle English gnawen, gnaȝen, from Old English gnagan, from Proto-West Germanic *gnagan, from Proto-Germanic *gnaganą (“to gnaw”), probably from Proto-Indo-European *gʰnēgʰ- (“to gnaw, scratch”). Cognate with Dutch knagen, German nagen, Danish gnave (“to gnaw”), Norwegian Bokmål gnage, Norwegian Nynorsk gnaga, Swedish gnaga.
Literary Quotations & Historical Citations
"Ten thousand men that fishes gnaw'd upon"
— c. 1593 (date written), William Shakespeare, “The Tragedy of Richard the Third: […]”, in Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies […] (First Folio), London: […] Isaac Iaggard, and Ed[ward] Blount, published 1623, →OCLC, [Act I, scene iv], line 25:
"VVots thou vvho's returnd, / The unthrift Bonvile, ragged as a ſcarre-crovv / The VVarres have gnavv'd his garments to the skinne: […]"
— 1637, Thomas Heywood, The Royall King, and the Loyall Subject. […], London: […] Nich[olas] and John Okes, for James Becket, […], →OCLC, Act III, signature E4, verso:
Explore More C1 Vocabulary Words
CEFR Practice Quiz
The hungry rat began to ____ through the wooden floor to reach food.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
The little rabbit began to ____ on the carrot, using its sharp front teeth to eat the vegetable quickly.