gum
1any of various viscid, amorphous exudations from plants, hardening on exposure to air and soluble in or forming a viscid mass with water.
any of various similar exudations, as resin.
a preparation of such a substance, as for use in the arts or bookbinding.
mucilage; glue.
Philately. the adhesive by which a postage stamp is affixed.: Compare o.g. (def. 2).
Informal. a rubber overshoe or boot.
to smear, stiffen, or stick together with gum.
to clog with or as if with some gummy substance.
to exude or form gum.
to become gummy.
to become clogged with a gummy substance.
gum up, Slang. to spoil or ruin.
Idioms about gum
gum up the works. work (def. 51).
Origin of gum
1Other words from gum
- gumless, adjective
- gumlike, adjective
Other definitions for gum (2 of 3)
Often gums .Also called gingiva. the firm, fleshy tissue covering the alveolar parts of either jaw and enveloping the necks of the teeth.
to masticate (food) with the gums instead of teeth.
to shape or renew the teeth of (a saw), as by grinding.
Origin of gum
2Other definitions for gum (3 of 3)
Origin of gum
3Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024
British Dictionary definitions for gum (1 of 4)
/ (ɡʌm) /
any of various sticky substances that exude from certain plants, hardening on exposure to air and dissolving or forming viscous masses in water
any of various products, such as adhesives, that are made from such exudates
any sticky substance used as an adhesive; mucilage; glue
NZ short for kauri gum
See chewing gum, bubble gum, gumtree
mainly British a gumdrop
to cover or become covered, clogged, or stiffened with or as if with gum
(tr) to stick together or in place with gum
(intr) to emit or form gum
Origin of gum
1- See also gum up
Derived forms of gum
- gumless, adjective
- gumlike, adjective
British Dictionary definitions for gum (2 of 4)
/ (ɡʌm) /
the fleshy tissue that covers the jawbones around the bases of the teeth: Technical name: gingiva Related adjective: gingival
Origin of gum
2British Dictionary definitions for gum (3 of 4)
/ (ɡʌm) /
used in the mild oath by gum!
Origin of gum
3British Dictionary definitions for GUM (4 of 4)
genitourinary medicine
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
Scientific definitions for gum (1 of 2)
[ gŭm ]
Any of various sticky substances that are produced by certain plants and trees and dry into brittle solids soluble in water. Gums typically are colloidal mixtures of polysaccharides and mineral salts.
Scientific definitions for gum (2 of 2)
[ gŭm ]
The American Heritage® Science Dictionary Copyright © 2011. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.
Browse