Dictionary.com
definitions

slack-jawed

[slak-jawd]
|

adjective

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

RELATED CONTENT

😲 - Astonished Face Emoji - Emoji by Dictionary.com
Read more in this article about some frequently asked questions and fun facts related to our definitions.
READ MORE
derp face
Read more in this article about some frequently asked questions and fun facts related to our definitions.
READ MORE

Origin of slack-jawed

slack jaw + -ed3
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

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.

Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper