What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
masticate
Example
It is important to masticate your food properly to aid in digestion. [masticate: verb]
Example
The dentist noticed that the patient did not masticate their food enough, leading to dental problems. [masticating: gerund or present participle]
chew
Example
Be sure to chew your food well before swallowing. [chew: verb]
Example
The child was reminded to chew their food properly to avoid choking. [chewing: gerund or present participle]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Chew is more commonly used than masticate in everyday language. Chew is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while masticate is less common and may be associated with technical or medical language.
Whatโs the difference in the tone of formality between masticate and chew?
Masticate is a more formal word than chew. It may be more appropriate to use masticate in formal or technical writing, while chew is more suitable for casual or informal contexts.
