Dictionary.com
definitions
  • synonyms

open-mouthed

[oh-puh n-mouth d, -moutht]
See more synonyms for open-mouthed on Thesaurus.com
adjective
  1. having the mouth open.
  2. gaping, as with surprise or astonishment.
  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.
Show More

Origin of open-mouthed

First recorded in 1525–35
Related formso·pen-mouth·ed·ly [oh-puh n-mou-th id-lee, -moutht-lee] /ˈoʊ pənˈmaʊ ðɪd li, -ˈmaʊθt li/, adverbo·pen-mouth·ed·ness, noun

Synonyms

See more synonyms for open-mouthed on Thesaurus.com
2. dumbfounded, flabbergasted, confounded, thunderstruck.
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018

Examples from the Web for open-mouthed

Historical Examples

  • I thought he must be crazed by over-study, and I could only sit and stare at him, open-mouthed.

    The Bacillus of Beauty

    Harriet Stark

  • And off he stumped, leaving Cyrus staring after him, open-mouthed.

  • Frau Matilda now gazed at me with open-mouthed astonishment.

  • He, staring at her open-mouthed, replied that he was going nowhere.

    His Masterpiece

    Emile Zola

  • Two fat ladies, open-mouthed, were yawning with satisfaction.

    His Masterpiece

    Emile Zola

British Dictionary definitions for open-mouthed

open-mouthed

adjective
  1. having an open mouth, esp in surprise
  2. greedy or ravenous
  3. clamorous or vociferous
Show More
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