Definition of GNAW

gnaw

Meanings

Plural: gnaws

Verb

  • bite or chew on with the teeth
    • "gnaw an old cracker"
  • become ground down or deteriorate
  • To bite something persistently, especially something tough.
  • To produce excessive anxiety or worry.
  • To corrode; to fret away; to waste.

Noun

  • the act of gnawing

Origin / Etymology

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.

Synonyms

eat at, erode, gnaw at, wear away

Scrabble Score: 8

gnaw is a valid Scrabble (US) TWL word
gnaw is a valid Scrabble Word in Merriam-Webster MW Dictionary
gnaw is a valid Scrabble Word in International Collins CSW Dictionary

Words With Friends Score: 10

gnaw is a valid Words With Friends word