Pronunciation

/maʊθ/

Definitions

• Noun: The opening in the face through which food is taken in and vocal sounds are emitted. For example: “She covered her mouth with her hand when she yawned.”
• Verb: (mouth something) To form words silently with one’s lips, often while reading or rehearsing lines. For example: “He was mouthing the lyrics to the song as he drove.”
• Noun: (informal) A person’s speech or expressed opinions; what someone says. For example: “His mouth got him into trouble again.”
• Verb: (mouth off) To speak disrespectfully or impertinently. For example: “Don’t you dare mouth off to your elders!”

Phrases

• “Put words in someone’s mouth”: To attribute a statement to someone that they did not actually make.
• “Keep your mouth shut”: To advise someone to be quiet or not reveal information.
• “Out of the mouths of babes”: Expressing surprise at wisdom or insight coming from a child.
• “Hand to mouth”: Living on very little, just enough to survive each day.

Example Sentences

• Noun: “The baby’s first teeth began to appear in his tiny mouth.”
• Verb: “As an actor, she practiced mouth movements to perfect her delivery.”
• Informal Noun: “Be careful what you say, because your mouth can get you into trouble.”
• Verb (mouth off): “After he mouthed off to the teacher, he was sent to the principal’s office.”

Synonyms

• Oral cavity
• Lips
• Speech
• Utterance
• Verbally (for the verb usage)
• Speak out (for the verb ‘mouth off’)