lantern jaw

American  

noun

1. a distinctly protruding, often wide lower jaw.

2. a long, thin jaw.

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lantern jaw British  

noun

1. a long hollow jaw that gives the face a drawn appearance

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Etymology

Origin of lantern jaw

First recorded in 1690–1700; so called from the fancied resemblance of the face to the shape of a lantern

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Example Sentences

See Examples For:

lantern jaw

Worse, Acme is represented by John Cena’s ferocious defense attorney Buddy Crane, the former wrestler making full use of his cartoonish features: lantern jaw, perma-frown, and a bull neck thick enough for boulder-sized bolo ties.

From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 26, 2026

Then one day she saw an image of special counsel Robert S. Mueller III, with his lantern jaw and no-nonsense gray hair.

From Washington Post ● May 10, 2019

Earlier that year, it called Secretary of State John Kerry a wolf with a "hideous lantern jaw" after U.S. and South Korean troops launched summertime drills.

From US News ● Apr. 12, 2016

Delaney is wearing jeans, T-shirt and clomping Chelsea boots, his lantern jaw hidden by a thick beard.

From The Guardian ● May 25, 2015

Sometimes the man with the silver hair and broad shoulders and lantern jaw is a lightweight.

From "Blink" by Malcolm Gladwell

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