toothy
C2Pronunciation
UK
- /tˈuːθi/
US
- /ˈtuθi/
Description
- Showing a lot of teeth
- with teeth on full display
- broad and full of teeth
"Toothy" is all about a strong display of teeth. It most often describes a wide smile or grin where the teeth are easy to see and hard to miss. Think of a cheerful child showing a big grin, or a crocodile with its mouth open in a way that makes every tooth stand out. The word often feels lively and visual. It can sound warm and playful, but in some cases it can also feel a little sharp, wild, or sneaky. It is less about whether the teeth are nice-looking and more about how clearly they are shown.
The word "toothy" creates a clear picture right away: a face, mouth, or smile with a lot of teeth showing. It is most often used for smiles and grins. A "toothy grin" is not small or shy; it is broad, open, and full of visible teeth. Think of a laughing child, a movie star posing for the camera, or someone bursting into a huge smile after good news. In all of these cases, the teeth become a noticeable part of the expression.
The word is also common in descriptions of animals, especially when a writer wants to draw attention to a mouth full of sharp or striking teeth. A shark, crocodile, or snarling dog may be described as "toothy" to make the image feel stronger and more vivid. In this kind of use, the word can sound a bit dangerous or threatening. Still, the basic idea stays the same: the teeth stand out.
Sometimes the tone changes with the context. A "toothy smile" can sound friendly and bright, but it can also suggest mischief, confidence, or even menace if the situation calls for it. It does not simply mean that someone has teeth, since of course people and many animals do. It means the teeth are a striking part of what you see. In the end, "toothy" is a vivid, visual word for any expression or appearance where the teeth take center stage.
Examples
- 1
Facial expression
The actor flashed a toothy smile as he walked onto the stage.
- 2
Scary creature
The Halloween poster showed a toothy monster leaning out of the dark.
- 3
Art materials
Charcoal sketches often look better on toothy paper.
Domain
toothy paper
paper with a slightly rough surface that holds charcoal better
Forms and spellings
3 forms open this card.
Main spelling
- toothyadjective
Forms
- toothiercomparativeadjective
- toothiestsuperlativeadjective