WordGarden.iomouth
A1Pronunciation
UK
- /mˈaʊθ/
US
- /ˈmaʊθ/
Meanings
Noun
the opening in the face used for eating, speaking, and breathing
the opening or entrance of something such as a river, cave, or container
Verb
to form or say words with the lips, especially without making sound
to speak back or talk with disrespect
Beyond the definition
The mouth is the opening on your face used for eating, speaking, smiling, and sometimes breathing. A river also has a mouth, which is the place where it flows into a sea, lake, or another river. Animals use their mouths to bite, carry things, make sounds, and survive.
We also use the word in common phrases. You might say someone "has a big mouth" if they cannot keep a secret, or that a restaurant grew through "word of mouth," meaning people recommended it by talking to others. The phrase "down in the mouth" describes someone who looks sad.
The word "mouth" most commonly refers to the opening on a human or animal face used for eating, speaking, and breathing. It's formed by lips, teeth, and the tongue—all working together! "She opened her mouth to speak," or "He fed the baby with a spoon into his mouth."
But "mouth" isn't limited to just faces. The place where a river flows into the sea, a lake, or another river is also called its mouth: "The river widens at its mouth." We can also use the word for the opening of something that leads inward, such as the mouth of a cave, bottle, or tunnel.
Figuratively, the word takes on even more meaning. "Word of mouth" refers to informal communication—people sharing information by talking about it. A "big mouth" describes someone who can't keep a secret, while being "down in the mouth" means looking sad or unhappy.
The phrase "from the horse's mouth" means getting information directly from the source—imagine hearing news straight from the animal itself! And if someone "mouths off," it means they are speaking rudely or disrespectfully.
So, whether you're talking about a physical opening, a way of communicating, or an emotional state, "mouth" is a surprisingly versatile word that touches on many aspects of life—and often, what comes out of it!
Examples
- 1
Coughing
She covered her mouth when she coughed.
- 2
Table manners
Don't talk with your mouth full.
- 3
Dental visit
The dentist asked me to open my mouth wide.
- 4
Medicine instructions
Take one tablet by mouth every morning.
- Domainby mouth
swallowed, not injected or put on the skin
More examplesFewer examples
- 5
Cave entrance
We sat near the mouth of the cave and watched the rain.
- 6
River geography
The town is near the mouth of the river.
- 7
Reputation
The restaurant became famous by word of mouth.
- Phraseword of mouth
people telling other people about something
- 8
Rude speech
Watch your mouth when you speak to your grandmother.
- Phrasewatch your mouth
be careful not to speak rudely
- 9
Staying silent
I wanted to complain, but I kept my mouth shut.
- Phrasekeep your mouth shut
not say something, especially a secret or complaint
- 10
Misquoting
Don't put words in my mouth; I never said that.
- Phraseput words in someone's mouth
say that someone said or meant something when they did not
- 11
Silent singing
She mouthed the words to the song without making a sound.
- Phrasemouth the words
move your lips as if speaking, but quietly or silently
See also
Forms and spellings
4 forms open this card.
Main spelling
- mouthnounverb
Forms
- mouthspluralnounverb
- mouthedpast tenseverbnoun
- mouthing-ing formverbnoun