teeth

[teeth]

noun

1. plural of tooth.

teeth

/ tiːθ /

noun

1. the plural of tooth

2. the most violent part

   the teeth of the gale

3. the power to produce a desired effect

   that law has no teeth

4. See skin

5. to become engrossed in

6. in direct opposition to; against

   in the teeth of violent criticism he went ahead with his plan

7. to threaten, esp in a defensive manner

8. to the greatest possible degree

   armed to the teeth

Other Word Forms

• teethless adjective

Idioms and Phrases

see armed to the teeth; bare one's teeth; by the skin of one's teeth; cut one's teeth on; fed to the gills (teeth); fly in the face (teeth) of; give one's eyeteeth; gnash one's teeth; grit one's teeth; in the teeth of; kick in the pants (teeth); lie through one's teeth; like pulling teeth; scarce as hen's teeth; set one's teeth on edge; sink one's teeth into; to the teeth. Also see under tooth.

Example Sentences

A second man, Jack Knight, has been spared jail "by the skin of your teeth".

From BBC

Jimmy Carter’s appearance became more diminutive during his incumbency, but his teeth became bigger; Ronald Reagan’s face went from smiling to hollowed and ghostly.

From Salon

"As a boy from Smethwick, who grew up just four miles down the road with big teeth and glasses, I couldn't believe I got a show on Radio 2," he added.

From BBC

With braces on her teeth and being touted as the future of women's boxing, Ayton felt the pressure.

From BBC

At the helm of a massive shiny black truck bearing the Teamsters insignia, a driver clenched a cigar between his teeth as he steered with one hand and pulled an overhead horn with the other.

From Los Angeles Times