Word forms: plural, 3rd person singular presenttense mouths, present participle mouthing, past tense, past participle mouthedpronunciation note: Pronounced (maʊθ) for the noun, and (maʊð) for the verb. The form mouths is pronounced (maʊðz).
1. countable noun [oft poss NOUN]
Your mouth is the area of your face where your lips are or the space behind your lips where your teeth and tongue are.
She clamped her hand against her mouth.
His mouth was full of peas.
...an inflammation of the mouth.
Synonyms: lips, trap [slang], chops [slang], jaws More Synonyms of mouth
-mouthed (-maʊðd)combining form
He straightened up and looked at me, open-mouthed.
2. countable noun [oft adjective NOUN]
You can say that someone has a particular kind of mouth to indicate that they speak in a particular kind of way or that they say particular kinds ofthings.
I've always had a loud mouth, I refuse to be silenced.
You've got such a crude mouth!
-mouthedcombining form
...Simon, their smart-mouthed teenage son.
...mean-mouthed heavies with the sly sadistic eyes of professional bullies.
3. countable noun
The mouth of a cave, hole, or bottle is its entrance or opening.
By the mouth of the tunnel, he bent to retie his lace. [+ of]
-mouthedcombining form
He put the flowers in a wide-mouthed blue vase.
4. countable noun
The mouth of a river is the place where it flows into the sea.
...the town at the mouth of the River Dart. [+ of]
5. verb
If you mouth something, you form words with your lips without making any sound.
I mouthed a goodbye and hurried in behind Momma. [VERB noun]
She winked broadly at him and silently mouthed something. [VERB noun]
'It's for you,' he mouthed. [VERB with quote]
6. verb
If you mouth something, you say it, especially without believing it or without understanding it.
I mouthed some sympathetic platitudes. [VERB noun]
They mouthed the values of family and charity, but demonstrated the opposite. [VERB noun]
Synonyms: utter, say, speak, voice More Synonyms of mouth
7. See also hand-to-mouth
8.
See mouths to feed
9.
See open your mouth
10. heart in your mouth
11. from the horse's mouth
12. keep your mouth shut
13. to put your money where your mouth is
14. to be born with a silver spoon in your mouth
15. word of mouth
16. to put words into someone's mouth
More Synonyms of mouth
mouth in British English
noun (maʊθ)Word forms: pluralmouths (maʊðz)
1.
the opening through which many animals take in food and issue vocal sounds
2.
the system of organs surrounding this opening, including the lips, tongue, teeth, etc
3.
the visible part of the lips on the face
▶ Related adjectives: oral, oscular
4.
a person regarded as a consumer of food
four mouths to feed
5.
verbal expression (esp in the phrase give mouth to)
6.
a particular manner of speaking
a foul mouth
7. informal
boastful, rude, or excessive talk
he is all mouth
8.
the point where a river issues into a sea or lake
9.
the opening of a container, such as a jar
10.
the opening of or place leading into a cave, tunnel, volcano, etc
11.
that part of the inner lip of a horse on which the bit acts, esp when specified as to sensitivity
a hard mouth
12. music
the narrow slit in an organ pipe
13.
the opening between the jaws of a vice or other gripping device
14.
a pout; grimace
15. by word of mouth
16. down in the mouth
17. have a big mouth
18. keep one's mouth shut
19. put one's money where one's mouth is
20. put words into someone's mouth
21. run off at the mouth
verb (maʊð)
22.
to speak or say (something) insincerely, esp in public
23. (transitive)
to form (words) with movements of the lips but without speaking
24. (transitive)
to accustom (a horse) to wearing a bit
25. (transitive)
to take (something) into the mouth or to move (something) around inside the mouth
26. (intransitive; usually foll byat)
to make a grimace
Derived forms
mouther (ˈmaʊðə)
noun
Word origin
Old English mūth; compare Old Norse muthr, Gothic munths, Dutch mond
mouth in American English
(maʊθ; for v. maʊð)
nounWord forms: pluralmouths (maʊðz)
1.
the opening through which an animal takes in food; specif., the cavity, or the entire structure, in the head of any of the higher animals which contains the teeth and tongue and through which sounds are uttered
2.
a.
the mouth regarded as the organ of chewing and tasting
b.
the mouth regarded as the organ of speech
3.
a person or animal regarded as a being needing food
six mouths to feed
4.
the lips, or the part of the face surrounding the lips
5.
a wry expression of the face; grimace
: now only in the phrase make mouths (or a mouth) at
6.
any opening regarded as like the mouth
; specif.,
a.
the part of a river, stream, etc. where the water empties into another body of water
b.
the opening into the earth of a cave, volcano, tunnel, etc.
c.
the opening of a container, through which it is filled or emptied
d.
the front opening in the barrel of a gun
e.
the opening between the jaws of a vise, etc.
f.
the opening between the lips of an organ pipe
g.
the opening in a flute across which the player blows
verb transitive
7.
a.
to say, esp. in an affected, oratorical, or insincere manner; declaim
b.
to form (a word) with the mouth soundlessly
8.
to take or put into the mouth
9.
to caress or rub with the mouth or lips
10.
to train (a horse) to become accustomed to the bit
verb intransitive
11.
to speak in an affected or oratorical manner; declaim
12. Rare
to make a wry face by twisting the mouth; grimace
Idioms:
down in the mouth
give mouth to
have a big mouth
mouth off
Derived forms
mouther (ˈmouther) (ˈmaʊðər)
noun
mouthless (ˈmouthless)
adjective
Word origin
ME < OE muth, akin to Ger mund < IE base *menth-, to chew > Gr masasthai, L mandere, to chew
More idioms containing
mouth
someone's heart is in their mouth
put your head into the lion's mouth
live from hand to mouth
look a gift horse in the mouth
butter wouldn't melt in someone's mouth
from the horse's mouth
a plum in your mouth
born with a silver spoon in your mouth
something leaves a bad taste in your mouth
put words into someone's mouth
take the words out of someone's mouth
put your money where your mouth is
all mouth and no trousers
down in the mouth
foam at the mouth
laugh out of the other side of your mouth
make your mouth water
shoot your mouth off
talk out of both sides of your mouth
Examples of 'mouth' in a sentence
mouth
They also talk with their mouths full.
The Sun (2016)
He was told to keep his mouth shut.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
The rodent raised its paws and opened its mouth hoping to scare off the predator.
The Sun (2017)
Speech was impossible because we couldn't move our mouths.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
The producers will let me sit there with dried toothpaste around my mouth,' she says.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
Now in Lebanon, he and his family are safe but existence is hand to mouth.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
If a wolf bites into the vest, the cartridges spray the wolf's face and mouth with chilli.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
It turns out that, for the most part, we’re voluntarily putting them in our mouths around three times a day.
Smithsonian Mag (2017)
But I'm not going to look a gift horse in the mouth.
The Sun (2016)
Who is going to look that gift horse in the mouth?
The Sun (2013)
My mouth moves but no sound comes out.
The Sun (2012)
There will often be small fine lines around the mouth and eyes.
Brumberg, Elaine Take Care of Your Skin (1990)
Everything she says comes out of her mouth fully formed and considered.
Times, Sunday Times (2012)
When he was young he was brash and always mouthing off.
Times, Sunday Times (2012)
We were soon approaching the mouth of a big river.
Edward Beauclerk Maurice THE LAST OF THE GENTLEMEN ADVENTURERS: Coming of Age in the Arctic (2004)
Laughter lines from nose to mouth make lips look pinched and smaller.
The Sun (2012)
You may only go back to the mouth of the cave.
Travers, P L What the Bee Knows - reflections on myth, symbol and story (1989)
Then she puts her hand over her mouth and laughs.
Times, Sunday Times (2007)
He cleans his teeth with his fingers and always talks with his mouth full.
The Sun (2008)
You have got to give that first mouth something to work with.
Al Ries and Laura Ries THE 22 IMMUTABLE LAWS OF BRANDING (2002)
My teeth ended up in another part of my mouth.
The Sun (2012)
Will stephen be able to keep his potty mouth clean?
The Sun (2015)
Open your mouth and swallow it without chewing.
Zindell, David The Broken God (1993)
It swiped my face with its paw and had my face in its mouth at some point.
Times, Sunday Times (2014)
Mum would be the first to admit that she was happy to cut corners to feed hungry mouths.
Times, Sunday Times (2015)
A couple are in tears while another sits alone, mouth opening and closing like a shell-shocked goldfish.
The Sun (2012)
Quotations
A shut mouth catches no flies
In other languages
mouth
British English: mouth /maʊθ/ NOUN
Your mouth is your lips, or the space behind your lips where your teeth and tongue are.
He covered his mouth with his hand.
American English: mouth
Arabic: فَمٌ
Brazilian Portuguese: boca
Chinese: 嘴巴
Croatian: usta
Czech: ústa
Danish: mund
Dutch: mond gezicht
European Spanish: boca
Finnish: suu
French: bouche
German: Mund
Greek: στόμα
Italian: bocca
Japanese: 口
Korean: 입
Norwegian: munn
Polish: usta
European Portuguese: boca
Romanian: gură
Russian: рот
Latin American Spanish: boca
Swedish: mun
Thai: ปาก
Turkish: ağız
Ukrainian: рот
Vietnamese: miệng
British English: mouth VERB
If you mouth something, you form words with your lips without making any sound.
I mouthed a goodbye and hurried in behind my mother.
American English: mouth
Brazilian Portuguese: movimentar os lábios sem de fato emitir som algum
Chinese: 用口形不出声地说
European Spanish: articular
French: articuler en silence
German: mit Lippenbewegungen sagen
Italian: formare con la boccaparola
Japanese: 口をもぐもぐさせる
Korean: 소리 없이 입 모양으로 말하다
European Portuguese: movimentar os lábios sem emitir som algum
Latin American Spanish: articular
Chinese translation of 'mouth'
mouth
(nmauθ; vbmauð)
n(c)
[of person, animal]嘴 (zuǐ) (张(張), zhāng)
(= way of talking) 说(說)话(話)方式 (shuōhuà fāngshì)
[of river]河口 (hékǒu) (个(個), gè)
[of cave, tunnel]口 (kǒu)
vt
(= mime) 唇(脣)语(語) (chúnyǔ)
(= trot out) 言不由衷地说(說) (yán bù yóu zhōng de shuō)
All related terms of 'mouth'
mouth organ
口琴 kǒuqín [ 只 zhī ]
by word of mouth
口头(頭)地 kǒutóu de
to open one's mouth
( speak ) 张(張)口说(說)话(話) zhāngkǒu shuōhuà
to be foaming at the mouth
( fig ) 大怒 dànù
to sock sb in the mouth/on the jaw
猛击(擊)某人的嘴巴/下巴 měngjī mǒurén de zuǐba/xiàba
1 (noun)
Definition
the visible part of the mouth
She clamped her hand against her mouth.
Synonyms
lips
trap (slang)
Shut your trap!
chops (slang)
jaws
gob (slang, especially British)
laughing gear (British, Australian, slang)
maw
the bear's gaping maw
yap (slang)
cakehole (British, slang)
2 (noun)
Definition
an opening, such as that of a bottle, tunnel, or gun
the mouth of the tunnel
Synonyms
entrance
He drove in through a side entrance.
opening
He squeezed through an opening in the fence.
gateway
cavity
door
I was knocking at the front door.
aperture
Through the aperture he could see daylight.
crevice
a huge boulder with rare ferns growing in every crevice
orifice
Viruses get into the body via any convenient orifice.
3 (noun)
Definition
an opening, such as that of a bottle, tunnel, or gun
a lit candle stuck in the bottle's mouth
Synonyms
opening
lip
the lip of the jug
rim
She looked at him over the rim of her glass.
4 (noun)
Definition
the point where a river issues into a sea or lake
the mouth of the river
Synonyms
inlet
outlet
estuary
naval manoeuvres in the Clyde estuary
firth
outfall
debouchment
5 (noun)
Definition
boastful, rude, or excessive talk
(informal)
She is all mouth and no talent.
Synonyms
boasting
gas (informal)
bragging
hot air (slang)
His justification for the merger was just hot air.
braggadocio
idle talk
empty talk
6 (noun)
Definition
boastful, rude, or excessive talk
(informal)
Synonyms
insolence
The most frequent reason for excluding a pupil was insolence.
lip (slang)
Enough of that lip if you want me to help you!
sauce (informal)
cheek (informal)
I'm amazed they have the cheek to ask in the first place.
rudeness
She is cross at his rudeness.
impudence
One sister had the impudence to wear the other's clothes.
backchat (informal)
(verb)
Definition
to speak or say something insincerely, esp. in public
I mouthed some sympathetic platitudes.
Synonyms
utter
They departed without uttering a word.
say
I hope you didn't say anything about me.
speak
The very act of speaking the words gave him comfort.
voice
Scientists have voiced concern that the disease could be passed to humans.
express
He expressed grave concern at their attitude.
pronounce
Have I pronounced your name correctly?
articulate
He failed to articulate an overall vision.
enunciate
She enunciated each word slowly and carefully.
verbalize
vocalize
say insincerely
say for form's sake
idioms
See down in or at the mouth
See keep your mouth shut
phrasal verb
See mouth off
related words
related adjectivesoraloscularstomatic
figurative note
The mouth is the opening through which many animals take in food and issue vocal sounds. The entrance or rim of other structures can also be referred to as a mouth, for example a bottle, a tunnel, or the point at which a river meets the sea. The speech of humans is articulated through their mouths, therefore mouth itself means talk, especially empty talk and boasting in she is all mouth. Similarly, impassioned talk is implicated in mouth off. Mouth is similar to lip and cheek, which all refer to the idea of impudence. The corners of the mouth turn down with displeasure and negative emotion - for this reason we talk about people being down in the mouth.
proverb
A shut mouth catches no flies
Additional synonyms
in the sense of aperture
Definition
a hole or opening
Through the aperture he could see daylight.
Synonyms
opening,
space,
hole,
crack,
gap,
rent,
passage,
breach,
slot,
vent,
rift,
slit,
cleft,
eye,
chink,
fissure,
orifice,
perforation,
eyelet,
interstice
in the sense of articulate
Definition
to express coherently in words
He failed to articulate an overall vision.
Synonyms
express,
say,
tell,
state,
word,
speak,
declare,
phrase,
communicate,
assert,
pronounce,
utter,
couch,
put across,
enunciate,
put into words,
verbalize,
asseverate (formal)
in the sense of backchat
Definition
impudent replies
Synonyms
cheek (informal),
lip (slang),
talking back,
answering back,
insolence,
impertinence,
verbals (British, slang),
impudence,
sass (US, Canadian, informal)
Synonyms of 'mouth'
mouth
Explore 'mouth' in the dictionary
Additional synonyms
in the sense of cheek
Definition
impudence, boldness, or lack of respect
I'm amazed they have the cheek to ask in the first place.
Synonyms
impudence,
face (informal),
front,
nerve (informal),
sauce (informal),
gall (informal),
disrespect,
audacity,
neck (informal),
lip (slang),
temerity,
chutzpah (US, Canadian, informal),
insolence,
impertinence,
effrontery,
brass neck (British, informal),
brazenness,
sassiness (informal)
in the sense of crevice
Definition
a narrow crack or gap in rock
a huge boulder with rare ferns growing in every crevice
Synonyms
gap,
opening,
hole,
split,
crack,
rent,
fracture,
rift,
slit,
cleft,
chink,
fissure,
cranny,
interstice
in the sense of door
Definition
a doorway or entrance
I was knocking at the front door.
Synonyms
opening,
entry,
entrance,
exit,
doorway,
ingress,
egress (formal)
in the sense of enunciate
Definition
to pronounce (words) clearly
She enunciated each word slowly and carefully.
Synonyms
pronounce,
say,
speak,
voice,
sound,
utter,
articulate,
vocalize,
enounce (formal)
in the sense of estuary
Definition
the widening channel of a river where it nears the sea
naval manoeuvres in the Clyde estuary
Synonyms
inlet,
mouth,
creek,
firth,
fjord
in the sense of express
Definition
to state (an idea or feeling) in words
He expressed grave concern at their attitude.
Synonyms
state,
communicate,
convey,
articulate,
say,
tell,
put,
word,
speak,
voice,
declare,
phrase,
assert,
pronounce,
utter,
couch,
put across,
enunciate,
put into words,
give voice to,
verbalize,
asseverate (formal)
in the sense of hot air
Definition
empty and usually boastful talk
His justification for the merger was just hot air.
Synonyms
empty talk,
rant,
guff (slang),
bombast,
wind,
gas (informal),
verbiage,
claptrap (informal),
blather,
bunkum,
blether,
bosh (informal),
tall talk (informal)
in the sense of impudence
One sister had the impudence to wear the other's clothes.
Synonyms
boldness,
nerve (informal),
cheek (informal),
face (informal),
front,
neck (informal),
gall (informal),
lip (slang),
presumption,
audacity,
rudeness,
chutzpah (US, Canadian, informal),
insolence,
impertinence,
effrontery,
brass neck (British, informal),
shamelessness,
sauciness,
brazenness,
sassiness (informal),
pertness,
bumptiousness,
backchat (informal)
in the sense of lip
Definition
any structure resembling a lip, such as the rim of a jug
the lip of the jug
Synonyms
edge,
rim,
brim,
margin,
brink,
flange
in the sense of lip
Definition
impudent talk or backchat
Enough of that lip if you want me to help you!
Synonyms
impudence,
rudeness,
insolence,
impertinence,
sauce (informal),
cheek (informal),
effrontery,
backchat (informal),
brass neck (informal)
Additional synonyms
in the sense of maw
Definition
the mouth, throat, or stomach of an animal
the bear's gaping maw
Synonyms
mouth,
crop,
throat,
jaws,
gullet,
craw
in the sense of orifice
Definition
an opening or hole through which something can pass, esp. one in the body such as the mouth or anus
Viruses get into the body via any convenient orifice.
Synonyms
opening,
space,
hole,
split,
mouth,
gap,
rent,
breach,
vent,
pore,
rupture,
aperture,
cleft,
chink,
fissure,
perforation,
interstice
in the sense of pronounce
Definition
to speak (a sound or sounds), esp. clearly or in a certain way
Have I pronounced your name correctly?
Synonyms
say,
speak,
voice,
stress,
sound,
accent,
utter,
articulate,
enunciate,
vocalize
in the sense of rim
Definition
the raised edge of an object
She looked at him over the rim of her glass.
Synonyms
edge,
lip,
brim,
flange
in the sense of rudeness
She is cross at his rudeness.
Synonyms
discourtesy,
bad manners,
insolence,
impertinence,
incivility,
ill-breeding,
impoliteness,
disrespectfulness,
ungraciousness,
unmannerliness
in the sense of say
Definition
to speak or utter
I hope you didn't say anything about me.
Synonyms
speak,
utter,
voice,
express,
pronounce,
come out with (informal),
put into words,
give voice or utterance to
in the sense of speak
Definition
to communicate or express (something) in words
The very act of speaking the words gave him comfort.
Synonyms
articulate,
say,
voice,
pronounce,
utter,
tell,
state,
talk,
express,
communicate,
make known,
enunciate
in the sense of trap
Definition
the mouth
Shut your trap!
Synonyms
mouth,
gob (British, informal),
cakehole (British, informal),
jaws,
kisser (informal),
lips,
chops (informal),
maw,
yap (informal)
in the sense of voice
Definition
to express verbally
Scientists have voiced concern that the disease could be passed to humans.