verb
gnaw
naw
verb
1
To bite or chew persistently on something tough.
"The dog gnawed on the bone for hours."
"Mice had gnawed through the wiring in the attic."
2
To cause ongoing worry or discomfort.
"Doubt gnawed at her all through the interview."
How to Use Gnaw
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishTo bite steadily on something, or (figuratively) to nag at someone's mind.
Common pairings
gnaw on a bone
gnaw at someone
gnawing doubt
Word Forms
gnawed past tense, gnawn past tense, gnew past tense, gnaws plural, gnaws singular
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Etymology
From Old English gnagan, from a Germanic root meaning "to gnaw," related to words in Dutch, German, and Scandinavian languages with similar meanings.