jawbreaker

[jaw-brey-ker]

noun

1. Informal.,  a word that is hard to pronounce.

   real jawbreakers like "antidisestablishmentarianism" or "antiangiogenic."

2. a very hard, usually round, candy.

3. 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.

jawbreaker

/ ˈdʒɔːˌbreɪkə /

noun

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

2. informal,  a word that is hard to pronounce

Other Word Forms

• jawbreakingly adverb
• jawbreaking adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of jawbreaker¹

First recorded in 1830–40; jaw ¹ + breaker ¹

Example Sentences

“I always describe the bags as being like beautiful white jawbreakers with saccharine colors all over them,” says Liana Satenstein, 35, a writer who focuses on the vintage market.

From Los Angeles Times

Most people give little thought to Earth’s deep interior, thinking of our home planet as simple nested layers, like a jawbreaker hard candy.

From Washington Post

“You could get the giant jawbreaker, the one the size of a tennis ball, and you’d have it for a year.”

From New York Times

I feel like such a baby about the jawbreaker lump in my throat that feels like it’s gonna dissolve and spill outta my eyes in liquid form.

From Literature

I see those floppy ears and jawbreaker eyes and I’m a puddle of hot bone broth, like anyone else.

From New York Times

Related Words

• sweet