teethe

Everyday

When a baby teethes, its first teeth are growing through the gums, which can make the baby sore, grumpy and dribbly. tree →

In the lessons

In family life, parents say «The baby is teething» and give teething rings or cold things to chew. «Teething problems» (idiom) means small problems when something new starts, like a new computer system or a new school. Phrases: «teething ring», «teething baby», «teething problems / troubles».

Examples

• My baby brother is teething, so he cries a lot. tree →
• Babies usually start teething at around six months. tree →
• She chewed on a cold teething ring. tree →
• Teething can make babies dribble and have red cheeks. tree →
• The new website had a few teething problems. tree →
• Our puppy is teething and chews everything. tree →

Note

Spelling trap: the verb is «teethe» (with e, rhymes with «breathe»), the noun is «teeth» (plural of «tooth»). Regular verb: «teethed», «teething». The idiom «teething problems» means early problems, not teeth.