eat
/iːt/
NOUN
1. Food or something to be eaten
Food intended for consumption, especially a meal or an individual food item. This is an informal and relatively uncommon noun usage.
1.1. Food and meals
Refers informally to food or something prepared to be eaten.
Synonyms
Examples
- The restaurant serves inexpensive eats throughout the day.
- We stopped at a small café for some local eats.
Related Words
- nourishment
- provisions
- refreshment
- cuisine
VERB
2. To consume food or nourishment
To put food into the mouth, chew or otherwise process it, and swallow it for nourishment or enjoyment.
2.1. Consuming food
Describes taking food into the body by chewing and swallowing it.
Synonyms
Antonyms
Examples
- She eats a healthy breakfast before going to work.
- The family gathered around the table to eat dinner together.
Related Words
- digest
- masticate
- swallow
- nourish
- chew
2.2. Eating eagerly or in large quantities
Describes consuming food quickly, hungrily, or excessively, often with little restraint.
Synonyms
Antonyms
- nibble
- peck at
Examples
- The hungry children ate everything on their plates.
- He ate his sandwich so quickly that he barely tasted it.
Related Words
- overeat
- gluttony
- feast
- munch
- swallow
2.3. Eating small amounts or slowly
Describes consuming food in small bites, taking one's time, or eating only a little.
Synonyms
Antonyms
- gorge
- devour
- wolf down
Examples
- She ate slowly while enjoying the conversation.
- The child ate only a little and left most of the meal untouched.
Related Words
VERB
3. To use up or consume resources
To consume, exhaust, or deplete something, especially money, time, energy, supplies, or other resources.
3.1. Exhausting money, time, or resources
Describes using up available resources until little or nothing remains.
Synonyms
Antonyms
- conserve
- save
- preserve
- accumulate
Examples
- The unexpected repairs ate up most of their savings.
- The lengthy approval process ate into the time available for development.
Related Words
- expenditure
- consumption
- depletion
- waste
- squander
VERB
4. To cause persistent worry or distress
To trouble, torment, or gradually consume someone emotionally through persistent worry, guilt, anxiety, or regret.
4.1. Persistent worry and emotional distress
Describes a problem, thought, or feeling that continually troubles someone or causes emotional discomfort.
Synonyms
- trouble
- torment
- gnaw at
- prey on
- haunt
- worry
Antonyms
Examples
- The uncertainty about his future continued to eat at him.
- Her unresolved guilt ate away at her confidence.
Related Words
- anxiety
- anguish
- guilt
- remorse
- distress
VERB
5. To absorb a financial loss
To accept or bear a financial loss, expense, or cost rather than passing it on to someone else.
5.1. Bearing financial losses or costs
Describes accepting the financial consequences of a transaction, failed investment, or business decision.
Synonyms
Examples
- The company had to eat the cost of replacing the defective products.
- The investor decided to eat the loss rather than wait for the stock to recover.
Related Words
VERB
6. To be struck or injured by a projectile
To be hit, wounded, or killed by a projectile, especially a bullet or another firearm-related object. This is an informal usage.
6.1. Being hit by a bullet or projectile
Describes someone being struck or wounded by a bullet or similar projectile.
Synonyms
- take a bullet
- be hit
- be struck
- be shot
Examples
- The soldier was fortunate not to eat a bullet during the exchange of fire.
- The character eats a bullet in the final scene of the film.
Related Words
- gunfire
- wound
- injury
- projectile
- firearm
VERB
7. To corrode or gradually wear away
To gradually damage, erode, or destroy a material or surface through chemical action, friction, or another destructive process.
7.1. Corroding or eroding materials
Describes a substance or natural process gradually wearing away, weakening, or destroying a material or surface.
Synonyms
- corrode
- erode
- abrade
- wear away
- dissolve
- eat away at
Antonyms
- preserve
- protect
- reinforce
Examples
- Acidic chemicals can eat through certain metals.
- Years of exposure to seawater gradually ate away at the structure.
Related Words
VERB
8. To perform oral sexual activity
To perform oral stimulation on another person's genitals as a sexual activity. This is an informal expression.
8.1. Performing oral sex
Refers colloquially to performing oral sexual activity on another person.
Synonyms
- perform oral sex
- go down on
Examples
- The expression is used informally to refer to performing oral sex on a partner.
Related Words
- sexual activity
- intimacy
- oral stimulation