open-mouthed

[ oh-puhn-mouthd, -moutht ]

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.

open-mouthed

adjective

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

Other Words From

• o·pen-mouth·ed·ly [oh, -p, uh, n-, mou, -, th, id-lee, -, moutht, -lee], adverb
• open-mouthed·ness noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of open-mouthed¹

First recorded in 1525–35

Example Sentences

Mobula rays feed by swimming open-mouthed through plankton-rich regions of the ocean and filtering plankton particles into their gullet as water streams into their mouths and out through their gills.

From Science Daily

But for a few hours a day, the 4-month-old pygmy hippo springs to life, gumming on leaves, zooming around the compound and tossing her head in a silent, open-mouthed roar.

From Los Angeles Times

Like colossal, synchronised swimmers, they lunge through the middle of the bubble net open-mouthed.

From BBC

While meteorologists say the forecast between now and the start of the Games is for hot and sunny weather that will help keep waterborne bacteria levels down, the Olympic organizing committee has confirmed there are backup plans in place if the Seine is deemed unsuitable for competitive swimming — which, as many commentators have noted, involves concerted open-mouthed gasping for air.

From Los Angeles Times

“We all stood there open-mouthed as she loaded him into the car.”

From Seattle Times

Related Words

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