open-mouthed
Americanadjective
-
having the mouth open.
-
gaping, as with surprise or astonishment.
- Synonyms:
- thunderstruck, confounded
-
greedy, ravenous, or rapacious.
-
clamoring at the sight of game or prey, as hounds.
-
vociferous or clamorous.
-
having a wide mouth, as a pitcher or jar.
adjective
-
having an open mouth, esp in surprise
-
greedy or ravenous
-
clamorous or vociferous
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of open-mouthed
First recorded in 1525–35
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Researchers also examined the flehmen response, the characteristic open-mouthed expression often seen when cats investigate certain odors.
From Science Daily ● Sep. 20, 2026
Longtime Hartford residents are staring wide-eyed and open-mouthed at the sudden housing boom.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Apr. 3, 2026
“And I remember, what was it—Bill Belichick’s girlfriend wasn’t even born yet?” he joked, leaving Hudson open-mouthed in surprise, while her partner simply chuckled along with the rest of the audience.
From MarketWatch ● Dec. 3, 2025
When Anges’ initial screams twist into silent, open-mouthed sobs, “Hamnet” briefly becomes a conduit for grief’s potency.
From Salon ● Nov. 30, 2025
Consider that on the door itself was pasted my visage, open-mouthed, above crossed bones.
From "The Astonishing Life of Octavian Nothing, Traitor to the Nation, Volume I: The Pox Party" by M.T. Anderson
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Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
