Spanish word

chicle

Pronunciation

IPA/ˈtʃikle/

Meaning

  • masculine noungum

Example

Puse chicle en mi zapato.

I put gum in my shoe.

Illustration for chicle (gum)

More examples

No se permite masticar chicle en clase.

You are not allowed to chew gum in class.

Core concept

A chewable mass made from either natural tree resin or modern synthetic gum bases.

Common phrases

  • masticar chicle

    chew gum

  • tirar chicle

    discard gum

Similar words

goma: Soft, rubbery edible piece sold for chewing, often packaged like candy or small sticks.
goma de mascar: Soft, chewable confection made specifically to be chewed and kept in the mouth.

Definition in Spanish

Se refiere al chicle o goma de mascar, término que abarca tanto la resina natural usada antiguamente como las bases sintéticas que se emplean en los chicles modernos.

Word origin

From Nahuatl chictli 'sticky thing', originally the sapodilla resin chewed for texture and flavor, later broadened in Spanish to include manufactured chewing-gum bases.

Usage tips

  • Spanish normally pairs chicle with the verb masticar (masticar chicle); decir comer chicle suggests actually swallowing it and sounds odd.

Word lists with this word