gnaw
intermediateB1/nɔː/ · gnaw
To bite at or chew on something persistently.
Meanings
To bite at or chew on something persistently.
کسی چیز کو بار بار دانتوں سے چبانا یا کچلنا۔
چبانا
chabana
Common Collocations
- gnaw at one's mind
- gnaw away
- gnawing pain
Example Sentences
The rats began to gnaw at the wooden base.
چوہے لکڑی کے ڈھانچے کو چبانے لگے۔
choohay lakri ke dhaanchay ko chabane lagay.
Doubt started to gnaw at her confidence.
شک اس کے اعتماد کو چبانے لگا۔
shak is ke aitmaad ko chabane laga.
He felt a gnawing hunger that couldn't be ignored.
اسے ایک چبانے والا بھوک کا احساس ہوا جو نظر انداز نہیں کیا جا سکا۔
usay aik chabane wala bhook ka ehsaas hua jo nazar andaaz nahi kiya ja sakta.
Easily Confused With
💡 Memory Tip
Think of a rat gnawing on wood to remember 'gnaw'.
Imagine a mouse chewing on a piece of furniture.
✍️ Urdu Poetry
یہ چبانے کی عادت یو ہوئی ہمارے دل کی، کہ درد یوں ہے کہ نہ چبائیں تو زمانہ چبائے گا۔
Yeh chabane ki aadat yo hui hamare dil ki, Keh dard yun hai keh na chabain tou zamana chabay ga.
This habit of gnawing has taken over our hearts, / The pain is such that if we don’t chew, the world will gnaw at us.
— Unknown, Unverified
* Poetry attribution is AI-generated and may require verification.
🗣️ Urdu Proverb
جنگل میں چٹان کا چبانا مشکل ہے۔
Jangal mein chattan ka chabana mushkil hai.
Gnawing a rock in the jungle is difficult.
📖 Etymology
Origin: Old English "gnagan" — to bite or chew
First known use: 12th century
The word 'gnaw' originates from Old English 'gnagan', which referred to the action of biting or chewing persistently. Over time, its usage has evolved to convey the idea of eroding or wearing away.