tooth
A tooth is one of the hard, white objects in your mouth used for biting and chewing food. Humans have two sets of teeth during their lives: primary (baby) teeth and permanent (adult) teeth.
Examples
3 of 5I brush every tooth carefully to keep my smile bright.
I clean every individual tooth to maintain a bright smile.
The patient reported acute pain in the lower right molar tooth.
The person seeking care noted sharp pain in a specific back tooth.
I think I've got a piece of popcorn stuck in my tooth.
I believe some food is trapped in my tooth.
Word Family
Memory Tip
Think of the 'OO' in 'tooth' as two round holes where your teeth should be!
Quick Quiz
The child was excited to lose her first ___.
Correct!
The correct answer is: tooth
Examples
I brush every tooth carefully to keep my smile bright.
everydayI clean every individual tooth to maintain a bright smile.
The patient reported acute pain in the lower right molar tooth.
formalThe person seeking care noted sharp pain in a specific back tooth.
I think I've got a piece of popcorn stuck in my tooth.
informalI believe some food is trapped in my tooth.
The density of the tooth enamel protects the inner layers from bacteria.
academicThe hardness of the outer tooth layer prevents bacterial infection.
Our insurance policy provides full coverage for a cracked tooth.
businessThe company insurance pays for the repair of a broken tooth.
Word Family
Common Collocations
Common Phrases
fight tooth and nail
To fight very fiercely or with great effort
long in the tooth
Getting old
like pulling teeth
Something that is very difficult or tedious to do
Often Confused With
'Tooth' is the singular form (one), while 'teeth' is the plural form (two or more).
Usage Notes
Use 'tooth' when referring to a single unit and 'teeth' for the plural. It is a countable noun that is irregular in its plural form.
Common Mistakes
Many learners mistakenly say 'tooths' instead of the correct irregular plural form 'teeth'.
Memory Tip
Think of the 'OO' in 'tooth' as two round holes where your teeth should be!
Word Origin
From the Old English word 'tōth', which comes from a Proto-Indo-European root meaning 'to eat'.
Grammar Patterns
Cultural Context
In many cultures, children believe in the 'Tooth Fairy', who leaves money under their pillow in exchange for a lost baby tooth.
Quick Quiz
The child was excited to lose her first ___.
Correct!
The correct answer is: tooth
Related Grammar Rules
Related Vocabulary
More Health words
head
A1The upper part of the human body that contains the brain, eyes, ears, nose, and mouth. It is supported by the neck and is the center for the senses and thinking.
ear
A1The ear is the organ on the side of the head that humans and animals use to hear sounds. It also helps the body maintain its sense of balance.
mouth
A1The opening in the lower part of the human face, surrounded by the lips, through which food is taken in and sounds and speech are emitted. It contains the teeth and the tongue and is the beginning of the digestive tract.
shoulder
A1The shoulder is the part of the human body where the arm connects to the trunk. It consists of a large joint that allows the arm to rotate and move in many directions.
finger
A1One of the five long, thin parts at the end of the human hand. Fingers are used for feeling, touching, and gripping objects.
stomach
A1The organ in your body where food goes after you eat it to be broken down. It is also the front part of your body below the chest and above the legs.
leg
A1A leg is one of the long parts of the body that humans and animals use for standing, walking, and running. It refers to the entire limb starting from the hip down to the ankle.
foot
A1The foot is the part of the body at the bottom of the leg that a person stands on. It is used for balance, walking, running, and jumping.
toe
A1A toe is one of the five separate parts at the end of the human foot. They help provide balance and support the weight of the body while standing or walking.
pain
A1Pain is an unpleasant physical feeling caused by illness or injury. It can be a sharp sensation or a dull ache in a specific part of the body.
Comments (0)
Login to CommentStart learning languages for free
Start Learning Free