Pronunciation: /nɔːɪŋ/

Definitions of gnawing

noun the action of biting or chewing something repeatedly

Example Sentences

A1 The gnawing of a mouse could be heard in the walls of the old house.

A2 The gnawing of hunger in his stomach made him regret skipping breakfast.

B1 The constant gnawing of self-doubt was starting to affect her confidence.

B2 The gnawing feeling of guilt lingered in the back of his mind after the mistake he made.

C1 The gnawing sense of injustice fueled her determination to fight for what was right.

C2 The gnawing realization of mortality led him to reevaluate his priorities and make the most of his time.

adjective causing persistent discomfort or worry

Example Sentences

A1 The mouse had a gnawing hunger and searched for food in the kitchen.

A2 The constant gnawing pain in his tooth made it difficult for him to concentrate.

B1 She couldn't focus on her work due to the gnawing anxiety in the back of her mind.

B2 The gnawing feeling of guilt kept him awake at night, wondering if he had made the right decision.

C1 The gnawing sense of unease in the room was palpable, making everyone on edge.

C2 The gnawing realization that he had been betrayed by his closest friend left him feeling hollow inside.

Examples of gnawing in a Sentence

formal The constant gnawing of rodents can cause damage to buildings over time.

informal I can't concentrate with this gnawing hunger in my stomach.

slang That gnawing feeling you get before a big test is the worst.

figurative The gnawing guilt of not speaking up when I had the chance still haunts me.

Grammatical Forms of gnawing

past tense

gnawed

plural

gnawings

comparative

more gnawing

superlative

most gnawing

present tense

gnaws

future tense

will gnaw

perfect tense

have gnawed

continuous tense

is gnawing

singular

gnawing

positive degree

gnawing

infinitive

to gnaw

gerund

gnawing

participle

gnawing

Origin and Evolution of gnawing

First Known Use: 1250 year
Language of Origin: Old English
Story behind the word: The word 'gnawing' originated from the Old English word 'gnagan', which meant to bite or gnaw.
Evolution of the word: Over time, the word 'gnawing' has retained its original meaning of biting or chewing persistently, but it is now also used metaphorically to describe persistent mental or emotional distress.