slack-jawed

[slak-jawd]

adjective

having the mouth open, especially as an indication of astonishment, bewilderment, etc.

Origin of slack-jawed

slack jaw + -ed³

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018

Examples from the Web for slack-jawed

Historical Examples of slack-jawed

Hang up, some of you, and make wax for these slack-jawed sisters.
Actions and Reactions
Rudyard Kipling
It was Lee, leaning, slack-jawed, against a pillar and reading the Green Sheet.
The Syndic
C.M. Kornbluth
"Fill your belly," he said, grinning at the youth's slack-jawed expression.
The Return of Tharn
Howard Carleton Browne
Pillbot stared from the visible portion of Gault to slack-jawed Harper and back again, sweat splashing from his puffy face.
The 4-D Doodler
Graph Waldeyer
He turned and fixed a cold, commanding eye upon the slack-jawed herders.
Flying U Ranch
B. M. Bower

Word Origin and History for slack-jawed

adj.

1882, "over-talkative," from slack-jaw (n.) "impertinent language" (1797), from slack (adj.) + jaw (n.). Meaning "open-mouthed and speechless" from astonishment, stupidity, etc., is from 1905.