Spanish word

carcomer

Pronunciation

IPA/kaɾkoˈmeɾ/

Meaning

  • verbgnaw

Example

El ratón carcome el queso.

The mouse is gnawing the cheese.

Illustration for carcomer (gnaw)

More examples

¿No te carcome la conciencia por eso?

Doesn't your conscience gnaw at you about that?

Core concept

An object slowly corroded from the inside.

Common phrases

  • carcomer la conciencia

    gnaw at the conscience

  • carcomer la duda

    gnaw at doubt

Similar words

roer: Gnaws persistently at something, often leaving visible holes or frayed edges.
mordisquear: Nibbles lightly and repeatedly, making small bite marks.
masticar: Chews by grinding food between the teeth to make it easier to swallow.
devorar: Consumes food ravenously and rapidly, finishing it in a single sitting.

Definition in Spanish

Destruir o consumir algo poco a poco por mordiscos, por la acción de insectos que lo perforan o por procesos de corrosión; aplicarse también a causar daño moral o psicológico de forma gradual.

Word origin

The verb derives from carcoma 'woodworm' plus -er, originally describing insect gnawing and now used metaphorically for feelings or problems that eat away at someone or something.

Usage tips

  • Expect carcomer in phrases with an indirect object to show internal distress (for example 'a ella le carcome la culpa'), so do not assume it always denotes a literal bite.

Other meanings

  • eat away atverb
  • corrodeverb

Opposites

Word lists with this word