Definition

Noun 1. Hard, calcified structure in the mouth: One of the hard, white structures rooted in the jaws of vertebrates, used for biting, chewing, and sometimes for defense. 2. A projecting part resembling an animal's tooth: Any of a series of uniform pointed or jagged projections on the edge or surface of a tool or object (e.g., a saw, comb, or gear). 3. Effective power; enforcement: (Often used in plural: teeth) The power or effectiveness to compel, enforce, or achieve a result. 4. A natural projection or point: A sharp, tooth-like point or projection, especially on a plant, shell, or other natural object.

Examples of Usage

• Noun (Anatomical):
  • She brushed her teeth twice a day.
  • The dentist filled a cavity in my molar tooth.
• Noun (Projection on an object):
  • The teeth of the saw were sharp and clean.
  • A gear with broken teeth will not function properly.
• Noun (Effective power):
  • The new law has real teeth and will be strictly enforced.
  • Without penalties, the regulation has no teeth.

Advanced Usage

• "In the teeth of": Directly against or in defiance of; facing the full force of something.
  • They sailed in the teeth of the gale.
  • The policy was enacted in the teeth of fierce opposition.
• "Tooth and nail": With great ferocity or determination; using all means available.
  • She fought tooth and nail to protect her rights.

Variants and Related Words

• Toothed (adj): Having teeth or tooth-like projections.
  • A fine-toothed comb.
• Toothless (adj): Lacking teeth; figuratively, lacking power or effectiveness.
  • A toothless old dog; a toothless advisory committee.
• Toothy (adj): Having or showing large or numerous teeth.
  • A toothy grin.

Synonyms

• Fang: A long, sharp tooth, especially of a canine or snake.
• Tusk: A long, pointed tooth, often protruding from the mouth, as in elephants or walruses.
• Cog: One of a series of teeth on a wheel or gear.
• Prong: Each of two or more projecting pointed parts at the end of a fork or similar object.

Related Phrases

• To have a sweet tooth: To have a strong liking for sweet foods.
  • I have a sweet tooth, so I love dessert.
• To set someone's teeth on edge: To cause someone to feel intense discomfort or irritation.
  • The sound of scraping metal sets my teeth on edge.
• To show one's teeth / To bare one's teeth: To act in a threatening or aggressive manner.
  • The company showed its teeth by filing a lawsuit against the competitor.
• By the skin of one's teeth: Only just; by a very narrow margin.
  • He passed the exam by the skin of his teeth.

Idioms

• Armed to the teeth: Heavily or completely armed.
  • The guards were armed to the teeth.
• To get one's teeth into something: To become fully and enthusiastically engaged in a challenging task.
  • She was eager to get her teeth into the new project.
• To lie through one's teeth: To tell a blatant or obvious lie.
  • He was clearly lying through his teeth about his alibi.

Noun

1. one of a number of uniform projections on a gear
2. a means of enforcement
   • the treaty had no teeth in it
3. toothlike structure in invertebrates found in the mouth or alimentary canal or on a shell
4. something resembling the tooth of an animal
5. hard bonelike structures in the jaws of vertebrates; used for biting and chewing or for attack and defense