snaggle-toothed
Definition
- Adjective:
- Having irregular, broken, or projecting teeth: "snaggle-toothed" describes someone or something with teeth that are uneven, missing, or stick out at odd angles, often giving a distinctive or unattractive appearance.
Usage Examples
- Adjective:
- The old fisherman had a snaggle-toothed grin that made him look both friendly and mischievous. (His teeth were uneven and some stuck out.)
- A snaggle-toothed dog barked at the mailman from behind the fence. (The dog had broken or irregular teeth.)
Advanced Usage
"snaggle-toothed smile": a smile that reveals uneven or protruding teeth.
- Her snaggle-toothed smile was surprisingly charming. (Her smile showed her irregular teeth in an endearing way.)
"snaggle-toothed appearance": a look characterized by jagged or missing teeth.
- The snaggle-toothed appearance of the ancient skull suggested a rough diet. (The skull's teeth were broken and uneven.)
Variants and Related Words
Snaggletooth (noun): a single tooth that is broken, irregular, or projecting.
- He had a prominent snaggletooth that gave his face character. (One tooth stuck out noticeably.)
Snaggle (verb, rare): to become broken or jagged, like a tooth.
- The edge of the blade had snaggled from years of use. (The blade's edge had become uneven.)
Synonyms
- Gap-toothed: having spaces between the teeth.
- Jagged-toothed: having teeth that are rough or broken.
- Buck-toothed: having protruding front teeth (a specific type of irregularity).
Related Idioms
Snaggle-toothed grin: a grin that shows uneven or broken teeth, often used affectionately.
- The snaggle-toothed grin of the old cat made it look wiser than it was. (The cat's irregular teeth were part of its endearing expression.)
Like a snaggle-toothed comb: describing something with uneven or missing parts.
- The fence was like a snaggle-toothed comb, with several pickets broken off. (The fence had gaps and uneven sections.)