chewed

Chewed is the past tense and past participle of the verb chew, meaning to bite and grind something with the teeth, typically in order to eat or to soften it. The word has roots in Old English and is part of the Germanic language family, with related forms in other languages that describe biting or grinding actions.

In modern English, chewed appears in simple past constructions, as in “he chewed the carrot,” and as a past participle in perfect or passive forms, such as “the carrot was chewed” or “they have chewed their food thoroughly.” It also occurs in various phrasal expressions, including “chewed over” (to consider something carefully), “chewed out” (to scold someone harshly), and “chewed up” (damaged or devoured).

Chewing is a form of mechanical digestion carried out by the jaws and teeth, aided by saliva. The act serves to break food into smaller pieces, increasing surface area for enzymatic action and initiating digestion. In health contexts, prolonged or forceful chewing can contribute to tooth wear (attrition) or jaw strain, while in culinary contexts it alters texture and flavor release.

Examples include: “The carrot was chewed until soft,” and “The gum was chewed for hours.” The term is widely applicable, from everyday eating to descriptions of partially consumed objects or actions.

See also: chew, chewing gum, chewing tobacco.