open-mouthed

American  

[oh-puhn-mouthd, -moutht] / ˈoʊ pənˈmaʊðd, -ˈmaʊθt /

adjective

1. having the mouth open.

2. gaping, as with surprise or astonishment.

   Synonyms:

   thunderstruck, confounded

3. greedy, ravenous, or rapacious.

4. clamoring at the sight of game or prey, as hounds.

5. vociferous or clamorous.

6. having a wide mouth, as a pitcher or jar.

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open-mouthed British  

adjective

1. having an open mouth, esp in surprise

2. greedy or ravenous

3. clamorous or vociferous

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Other Word Forms

• open-mouthedly adverb
• open-mouthedness noun

Etymology

Origin of open-mouthed

First recorded in 1525–35

Example Sentences

Ms. Kuehn, who has worked in journalism and public relations, is a vivid writer and movingly conveys the “open-mouthed” shock that came with these revelations.

From The Wall Street Journal

“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

She looked up to find the sales clerk staring at her, open-mouthed.

From Literature

Both of them have an ability to produce 'wow' performances in qualifying - laps that leave people open-mouthed, thinking, 'where did that come from?'

From BBC

Many watching on from the barriers were left open-mouthed at the scale of the welcome.

From BBC

Related Words

• amazed
• bemused
• breathless
• captivated
• enthralled
• rapt