fang

1 of 2

noun (1)

ˈfaŋ 

1

a

: a long sharp tooth: such as

(1)

: one by which an animal's prey is seized and held or torn

(2)

: one of the long hollow or grooved and often erectile teeth of a venomous snake

b

: one of the chelicerae of a spider at the tip of which a poison gland opens

2

: the root of a tooth or one of the processes or prongs into which a root divides

3

: a projecting tooth or prong

fanged

ˈfaŋd 

adjective

Fang

2 of 2

noun (2)

ˈfaŋ  ˈfäŋ 

variants or less commonly Fan

ˈfan  ˈfän 

plural Fang or Fangs also Fan or Fans

1

: a member of a Bantu-speaking people of northern Gabon, mainland Equatorial Guinea, and southern Cameroon

2

: the language of the Fang people

Examples of fang in a Sentence

Noun (1)

the fangs of a rattlesnake

a tiger baring its fangs

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Bill Skarsgard has the cape, the fangs and the scary manicure. —David Rooney, The Hollywood Reporter, 2 Dec. 2024

Long’s affable plot and cartoon-style art playfully convey the importance of being grateful for our families, fangs and all. —Jennifer Hubert Swan, New York Times, 25 Nov. 2024

Finally, the combination of a small incision, made by potentially self-sharpening fangs, and an anticoagulant in their saliva allow these bats to feed on unsuspecting prey. —Sebastian Stockmaier, Discover Magazine, 31 Oct. 2024

And Universal’s comedic vampire gorefest, Abigail, failed to show its fangs, unable to recoup its production costs at the North American box office to qualify as a flop. —Chris Lee, Vulture, 31 Oct. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Noun (1)

Middle English, that which is taken, from Old English; akin to Old High German fang seizure, Old English fōn to seize — more at pact

First Known Use

Noun (1)

1555, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Noun (2)

1861, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

fang

noun

ˈfaŋ 

1

a

: one of the long sharp teeth which are used by an animal to seize, hold, and tear apart its prey

b

: one of the long hollow or grooved teeth of a poisonous snake

2

: a root of a tooth

fanged

ˈfaŋd 

adjective

Medical Definition

fang

noun

ˈfaŋ 

1

a

: a long sharp tooth: as

(1)

: one by which an animal's prey is seized and held or torn

(2)

: one of the long hollow or grooved and often erectile teeth of a venomous snake

b

: one of a spider's chelicerae at the tip of which a poison gland opens

2

: the root of a tooth or one of the processes or prongs into which a root divides

fanged

ˈfaŋd 

adjective