gums
gums — noun
- gumssingular
- gumsesplural
1. The pink soft tissue in your mouth that surrounds the lower part of each tooth a
The pink soft tissue in your mouth that surrounds the lower part of each tooth and lies over the jawbone.
After brushing too hard, Nala noticed her gums were bleeding.
collocation: bleeding gums / sore gums
The dentist told Kabir that his gums looked healthy and firm.
Bilal's gums felt tender after he ate the very spicy curry.
You should floss between your teeth every day to keep your gums in good condition.
Swollen gums can be a sign of infection and should be checked by a dentist.
- gingiva
The formal medical term for gums; used by dentists and in clinical writing, never in everyday speech.
用法筆記
This sense is always used in the plural form 'gums', even when referring to the tissue around a single tooth. The singular 'gum' is extremely rare in this anatomical meaning.
常見錯誤
2. A sticky substance produced by certain trees and plants that comes out through t
A sticky substance produced by certain trees and plants that comes out through the bark and hardens when it dries.
Niran showed the class how gum from the acacia tree can be used as a thickener in cooking.
collocation: gum from [tree]
When the bark of the cherry tree is cut, a sticky gum slowly drips out.
The baker used natural gum to thicken the fruit pie filling instead of cornstarch.
Some kinds of gum from plants are used to make medicine and glue.
用法筆記
In this sense the word is uncountable. When referring to the singular form 'gum' is used ('acacia gum', 'gum arabic'). The plural 'gums' typically means the mouth tissue (sense 1).
3. A type of adhesive used for sticking paper, envelopes, or light craft materials
A type of adhesive used for sticking paper, envelopes, or light craft materials together.
Camille spread gum on the back of the stamp before pressing it onto the envelope.
collocation: spread gum on something
Diego used a small brush to apply gum to the torn edge of the book page.
collocation: apply gum to something
The envelope had gum along the flap, so Paul only needed to lick it to seal it shut.
Yumi bought a small bottle of gum at the stationery shop for her paper art project.
用法筆記
Distinguish from sense 2: sense 3 refers specifically to manufactured glue for paper products, not to the natural plant substance. Common on envelopes, stamps, and stickers.
常見錯誤
4. A soft, chewy sweet that you put in your mouth and crush repeatedly with your te
A soft, chewy sweet that you put in your mouth and crush repeatedly with your teeth to release flavour, without swallowing it.
Anong offered Paul a piece of mint gum after lunch.
The teacher told the students not to chew gum during the exam.
collocation: chew gum
Sofie blew a huge pink bubble with her bubble gum and it popped all over her face.
There was a piece of old gum stuck under the desk in the library.
- chewing gum
The full, more formal term; 'gum' is the everyday shortened form.
- bubble gum
A softer, sweeter type of chewing gum that stretches so you can blow bubbles with it.
常見錯誤
5. A small, chewy fruit-flavoured sweet whose name often ends in '-gums', like frui
A small, chewy fruit-flavoured sweet whose name often ends in '-gums', like fruit gums or wine gums.
Noa bought a bag of fruit gums to share with his little sister on the train.
collocation: fruit gums
The children loved the wine gums their grandmother brought back from her trip to London.
collocation: wine gums
Yumi picked out the red gums from the packet and saved the green ones for later.
These fruit gums are made with real fruit juice and have a soft, chewy texture.
- gummies
A shorter, modern term used in both British and American English for fruit-flavoured chewy sweets.
- gummy bears
A specific popular brand and shape of gummy candy; often used generically for all similar sweets.
用法筆記
Primarily British usage. 'Wine gums' and 'fruit gums' are branded products. In American English, similar sweets are called 'gummy candies' or 'gummies'.
6. A type of tree that produces a sticky resin or sap, such as the eucalyptus or th
A type of tree that produces a sticky resin or sap, such as the eucalyptus or the sweet gum tree, or the wood from such a tree.
The garden behind their house was shaded by a tall gum tree that had stood for decades.
In Australia, koalas feed almost entirely on the leaves of certain gum trees.
collocation: gum tree
Kabir chose gum wood for the table because it was strong, straight, and easy to polish.
Sweet gum trees turn brilliant red and orange in autumn, making them popular in parks.
- eucalyptus
The scientific name for the most common type of gum tree, especially in Australia.
- sweet gum
A specific North American tree known for its star-shaped leaves and colourful autumn foliage.
用法筆記
Many trees that produce sticky sap are informally called 'gum trees'. The word is part of compound names such as 'sweet gum', 'black gum', and 'blue gum' (eucalyptus).
gums — verb
- gumspresent simple I / you / we / they
- gumses3rd person singular
- gumsing-ing form
- gumsedpast simple
1. To stick one thing to another by using glue or another sticky substance, especia
To stick one thing to another by using glue or another sticky substance, especially for paper items.
Niran gummed the old photographs onto the pages of his family scrapbook.
pattern: gum something onto something
The address labels were already gummed to the envelopes before we received them.
passive: be gummed to something
Sofie carefully gummed the torn corner of the poster back onto the noticeboard.
The postage stamps must be gummed onto the top right corner of the envelope.
文法句型
gum something to something
be gummed to something
用法筆記
Often used in the passive voice ('was gummed to') or as a past participle acting as an adjective ('gummed envelope'). Refers specifically to paper, cards, or labels.
2. To chew or crush soft food using only the gums rather than teeth, typically done
To chew or crush soft food using only the gums rather than teeth, typically done by babies or people who have lost their teeth.
The baby gummed a piece of soft bread happily while sitting in her high chair.
Ezra's grandfather had no teeth and could only gum his food during meals.
pattern: gum [food]
The toddler gummed the banana until it turned into a soft mush in his mouth.
The elderly woman gummed her toast slowly, savouring every bite without any teeth.
文法句型
gum something
用法筆記
Very specific and uncommon. Usually describes babies or elderly people with no teeth. The object is always soft food such as bread, banana, or toast.
3. Of a tree or plant, to produce and release a sticky substance from a cut or dama
Of a tree or plant, to produce and release a sticky substance from a cut or damaged part of the bark or stem.
The old plum tree gummed heavily where the gardener had cut off the broken branch.
When the bark is damaged, the tree gums to seal the wound and protect itself from infection.
pattern: tree gums to [purpose]
The acacia tree gums naturally when its trunk is injured by wind or animals.
The cherry tree started gumming after the hailstorm left small cuts all over its bark.
文法句型
tree/plant + gum (verb)
用法筆記
An intransitive verb used almost exclusively with trees or plants as the subject. Mostly found in botanical writing or gardening contexts.
4. To become sticky or develop a thick, glue-like texture or consistency.
To become sticky or develop a thick, glue-like texture or consistency.
The paint had gummed inside the tin after being left open in the summer heat.
If you leave the candy in direct sunlight, it will gum and turn into a sticky mess.
pattern: [substance] gums
The syrup gummed on the kitchen counter and was hard to wipe off.
The old honey had gummed inside the jar and would not pour out anymore.
文法句型
something + gum (verb)
用法筆記
Usually describes a substance that hardens or thickens into a sticky state. Common in recipes, craft instructions, and cleaning contexts.