(~s, ~ing, ate, ~en)
Frequency: The word is one of the 1500 most common words in English.
1.
When you ~ something, you put it into your mouth, chew it, and swallow it.
She was ~ing a sandwich...
We took our time and ate slowly.
VERB: V n, V
2.
If you ~ sensibly or healthily, you ~ food that is good for you.
...a campaign to persuade people to ~ more healthily.
VERB: V adv
3.
If you ~, you have a meal.
Let’s go out to ~...
We ate lunch together a few times.
VERB: V, V n
4.
If something is ~ing you, it is annoying or worrying you. (INFORMAL)
‘What the hell’s ~ing you?’ he demanded.
VERB: only cont, V n
5.
If you have someone ~ing out of your hand, they are completely under your control.
She usually has the press ~ing out of her hand.
PHRASE: V and N inflect
6.
to have your cake and ~ it: see cake
dog ~ dog: see dog
to ~ humble pie: see humble