mouth
Americannoun
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mouths
plural
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Anatomy, Zoology.
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the opening through which an animal or human takes in food.
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the cavity containing the structures used in mastication.
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the structures enclosing or being within this cavity, considered as a whole.
-
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the masticating and tasting apparatus.
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a person or animal dependent on someone for sustenance.
another mouth to feed.
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the oral opening or cavity considered as the source of vocal utterance.
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utterance or expression.
to give mouth to one's thoughts.
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talk, especially loud, empty, or boastful talk.
That man is all mouth.
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disrespectful talk or language; back talk; impudence.
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a grimace made with the lips.
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an opening leading out of or into any cavity or hollow place or thing.
the mouth of a cave; a bottle's mouth.
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the outfall at the lower end of a river or stream, where flowing water is discharged, as into a lake, sea, or ocean.
the mouth of the Nile.
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the opening between the jaws of a vise or the like.
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the lateral hole of an organ pipe.
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the lateral blowhole of a flute.
verb (used with object)
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mouths,
present (3rd person singular)
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mouthed,
past participle, past
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mouthing
present participle
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to utter in a sonorous or pompous manner, or with excessive mouth movements.
to mouth a speech.
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to form (a word, sound, etc.) with the lips without actually making an utterance.
She silently mouthed her answer so as not to wake her napping child.
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to utter or pronounce softly and indistinctly; mumble.
Stop mouthing your words and speak up.
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to put or take into the mouth, as food.
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to press, rub, or chew at with the mouth or lips.
The dog mouthed the toys.
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to accustom (a horse) to the use of the bit and bridle.
verb (used without object)
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mouths,
present (3rd person singular)
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mouthed,
past participle, past
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mouthing
present participle
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to speak sonorously and oratorically, or with excessive mouth movement.
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to grimace with the lips.
verb phrase
idioms
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run off at the mouth, to talk incessantly or indiscreetly.
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talk out of both sides of one's mouth, to make contradictory or untruthful statements.
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down in / at the mouth, dejected; depressed; disheartened.
Ever since he lost his job, he has been looking very down in the mouth.
noun
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the opening through which many animals take in food and issue vocal sounds
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the system of organs surrounding this opening, including the lips, tongue, teeth, etc
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the visible part of the lips on the face
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a person regarded as a consumer of food
four mouths to feed
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verbal expression (esp in the phrase give mouth to )
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a particular manner of speaking
a foul mouth
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informal boastful, rude, or excessive talk
he is all mouth
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the point where a river issues into a sea or lake
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the opening of a container, such as a jar
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the opening of or place leading into a cave, tunnel, volcano, etc
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that part of the inner lip of a horse on which the bit acts, esp when specified as to sensitivity
a hard mouth
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music the narrow slit in an organ pipe
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the opening between the jaws of a vice or other gripping device
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a pout; grimace
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orally rather than by written means
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in low spirits
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informal to speak indiscreetly, loudly, or excessively
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to keep a secret
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to take appropriate action to support what one has said
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to represent, often inaccurately, what someone has said
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to tell someone what to say
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informal to talk incessantly, esp about unimportant matters
verb
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to speak or say (something) insincerely, esp in public
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(tr) to form (words) with movements of the lips but without speaking
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(tr) to accustom (a horse) to wearing a bit
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(tr) to take (something) into the mouth or to move (something) around inside the mouth
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to make a grimace
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
Inflected Forms
Nouns
Participles
Conjugated Forms
Present
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mouthsimple
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mouthssimple
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have mouthedperfect
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has mouthedperfect
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am mouthingprogressive
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are mouthingprogressive
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is mouthingprogressive
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have been mouthingperfect progressive
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has been mouthingperfect progressive
Past
-
mouthedsimple
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had mouthedperfect
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was mouthingprogressive
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were mouthingprogressive
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had been mouthingperfect progressive
Future
Etymology
Origin of mouth
before 900; Middle English; Old English mūth; cognate with German Mund, Old Norse munnr
Explanation
There are many meanings of mouth, but they all relate to the hole from which you eat, speak, and breathe. Like the mouth below your nose, other mouths are openings or have something to do with speaking. The opening at the top of a jar or bottle is its mouth. The place where a river meets the ocean is the mouth of the river. It’s called mouthing off when you give someone lip or sass. You can mouth the words to a song without singing them. A mouth (or mouthpiece) is someone who speaks for other people, like a lawyer.
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.
See Examples For:
“Talladega Nights” pegs this missing link between America’s urban past and its exurban future from its opening seconds, putting a quote about “hot, nasty, badass speed” in the mouth of New York Swell Eleanor Roosevelt.
From Salon ● Aug. 16, 2026
“We believe in the promise of this nation and we’re proud to put our money where our mouth is.”
From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 14, 2026
He said they come to the restaurant after reading about it online, seeing it on social media or just hearing about it through word of mouth.
From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 14, 2026
What won't be changing: Unlike at the World Cup, there will be no VAR interventions on incorrect corners or red cards for players who cover their mouth in a confrontational situation.
From BBC ● Aug. 14, 2026
I refuse to touch anything in here, and stick to mouth breathing only.
From "Red Flags and Butterflies" by Sheryl Azzam
Even within the tenuous reality of the movie, Frankie and Molly aren’t focused on saving their own necks, especially after their clairvoyant powers kick in and the friends realize they can communicate with closed mouths.
From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 13, 2026
You refresh a feed for news of a village whose name your relatives say with their whole mouths and you say with an accent that gives you away.
From Salon ● Aug. 5, 2026
Those who did experiment ran into the technology's early limitations -- six-fingered hands, mouths that didn't move right.
From Barron's ● Jul. 22, 2026
Many across the city - the most populous across the US - were wearing masks over their mouths and nose hoping to protect themselves.
From BBC ● Jul. 17, 2026
Every time the raven cried “Nevermore!” the children would toss their peas in the air and try to catch them in their mouths.
From "The Unseen Guest" by Maryrose Wood
Fery laughing as he explicitly mouthed his surprise with a three-word phrase was a great moment.
From BBC ● Jul. 13, 2026
When Trump praised Rubio during his State of the Union, the secretary mouthed “thank you,” placed a hand on his heart, and briefly stood to acknowledge the applause before ducking back into his seat.
From Slate ● Apr. 6, 2026
In a second phase of the study, the researchers simulated how the body might process lead if children mouthed or chewed on clothing.
From Science Daily ● Apr. 2, 2026
In consecutive weeks, Myers mouthed "elbows up" at the camera.
From Salon ● Apr. 27, 2025
He smiled and mouthed the words: I’ll call you tomorrow, okay?
From "The Secret History" by Donna Tartt
The cameras then panned to reality TV star Jenner, who made her name on the show Keeping Up with the Kardashians, and she was seen mouthing "I love you" back.
From BBC ● Jan. 5, 2026
But this year it was disclosed she sent an email to Epstein weeks later apologizing for bad mouthing him and referring to him as her “supreme friend.”
From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 31, 2025
Two fans held up “Fire Nico” signs, and one was seen mouthing those same words on the video screens before being ejected.
From Los Angeles Times ● Feb. 11, 2025
"Oh no," he added, before silently mouthing the word into the microphone.
From Salon ● Nov. 5, 2024
I could see Bat Lady, who was somehow connected with my father, somehow connected with the Abeona Shelter, mouthing the words to me: Save Ashley.
From "Shelter (Book One): A Mickey Bolitar Novel" by Harlan Coben
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
