jawbreaker

[ jaw-brey-ker ]

/ ˈdʒɔˌbreɪ kər /

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noun

Informal. a word that is hard to pronounce: real jawbreakers like "antidisestablishmentarianism" or "antiangiogenic."

a very hard, usually round, candy.

Also called jaw crusher. Mining. a machine used to break up ore, consisting of a fixed plate and a hinged jaw moved by a toggle joint.

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Origin of jawbreaker

First recorded in 1830–40; jaw¹ + breaker¹

OTHER WORDS FROM jawbreaker

jawbreaking, adjectivejaw·break·ing·ly, adverb

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2022

How to use jawbreaker in a sentence

Aviation experts across the world experienced severe jaw dropping at this news.
Annoying Airport Delays Might Prevent You From Becoming the Next AirAsia 8501|Clive Irving|January 6, 2015|DAILY BEAST
It's not necessarily a deal-breaker, but it is kind of a top priority.
My Week on Jewish Tinder|Emily Shire|January 5, 2015|DAILY BEAST
It took me 1,015 strokes to see this shade of green in a world of orange, and my jaw nearly dropped.
Lost For Thousands of Strokes: 'Desert Golfing' Is 'Angry Birds' as Modern Art|Alec Kubas-Meyer|January 2, 2015|DAILY BEAST
The industry lore is downright jaw-dropping in the details of the cons known as “brick-in-box” returns.
The Insane $11 Billion Scam at Retailers’ Return Desks|M.L. Nestel|December 19, 2014|DAILY BEAST

There is such a thing in presidential primary politics as a single-issue deal-breaker.
Be the Smarter Bush Brother, Jeb: Don’t Run!|Michael Tomasky|December 17, 2014|DAILY BEAST
My coup-d'œil assured me that it was practicable to give to this feature the character of a projecting under-jaw.
Checkmate|Joseph Sheridan Le Fanu
He usually seizes his prey by the flank near the hind leg, or by the throat below the jaw.
Hunting the Lions|R.M. Ballantyne
He had had his jaw smashed but I have seen men pull longer faces at breaking a collar stud.
Gallipoli Diary, Volume I|Ian Hamilton
He had a long pale face with an indifferent complexion and the common American lantern jaw.
Ancestors|Gertrude Atherton
The constable stared at the cadet for a moment and then his jaw dropped and likewise the club in his hand.
The Mystery at Putnam Hall|Arthur M. Winfield

British Dictionary definitions for jawbreaker

jawbreaker

/ (ˈdʒɔːˌbreɪkə) /

noun

Also called: jawcrusher a device having hinged jaws for crushing rocks and ores

informal a word that is hard to pronounce

Derived forms of jawbreaker

jawbreaking, adjectivejawbreakingly, adverb

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

jawbreaker

Origin of jawbreaker

OTHER WORDS FROM jawbreaker

Words related to jawbreaker

How to use jawbreaker in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for jawbreaker

Derived forms of jawbreaker