eaten

word · lemma: eat

/ˈitən/
EE-tuhn
/ˈiːtən/
EE-tuhn

Definition

Past participle of 'eat'. It is used in perfect tenses, passive structures, and to describe food or things that someone has already consumed.

Usage & Nuances

Usually appears with 'have/has/had' ('I have eaten') or with 'be' in passive/adjectival use ('The cake was eaten'). Don't use it alone as the main past-tense verb; say 'I ate', not 'I eaten'. It can also describe damage by insects in phrases like 'moth-eaten'.

Example Sentences

Have you eaten yet?

basic

I have eaten lunch already.

basic

The cake was eaten by the children.

basic

Don't order for me—I’ve already eaten.

natural

By the time we got there, all the pizza had been eaten.

natural

It looks like something has eaten the leaves in the garden.

natural