Mouth Definition Mouth Definition 1

Mouth (noun) — a facial opening that serves for multiple purposes, such as eating food, expressing emotions, speaking, and breathing in air. It consists of lips outside the mouth, and teeth, tongue, and gums inside it. 

Part of speech:
Noun (countable)
Phonetic transcription (IPA):
/maʊθ/
CEFR level:
A1
Word frequency:

How to Pronounce “Mouth”?

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Tips for mouth pronunciation: 

The word starts with m, then the sound ow follows, similar to the one in “now”, and ends with th, like in “things.”  

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Examples: How to Use “Mouth” in a Sentence?

The meaning of a “mouth” and the phrases you can create with it allow you to formulate various ideas, from describing someone’s appearance to writing vivid descriptions.

I am looking for a napkin to wipe my mouth.
You need to cover your mouth when you yawn.
He looked at my car with his mouth open.
My friend has big blue eyes and a round mouth.
The baby smiled with his small, toothless mouth.

What Are Synonyms for the Word “Mouth”?

“Mouth” consists of many parts, so there are many words that are connected to it. However, if you are looking for some words you can use instead, you will encounter only variations such as opening or anatomic terminology that don’t suit casual conversations.

Related nouns: lips teeth gums

Synonyms (contextual): None, it is specific.

Common collocations: closed mouth round mouth cover your mouth

“Mouth” Word Formation and Description in Context

There are many common phrases with adjectives that are designed to describe someone’s facial appearance and emotions, adding more sense to what “mouth” means.

With adjectives: big mouth small mouth open mouth toothless mouth

With verbs: open your mouth close your mouth wipe your mouth

With nouns (noun + noun): back of the mouth inside of the mouth

Idioms and Phrases with “Mouth”

Apt idioms enable you to express various ideas, ranging from explaining how something can become hype to highlighting someone’s difficult life. Let’s unfold these meanings:

  • Word of mouth — refers to a scenario where people share positive experiences with others, making a brand or place popular.

    Word of mouth helped the tech company Vivant become a successful business. — “Inc. Magazine
  • To make one’s mouth water — used to describe a type of dish so tasty that it makes your mouth produce saliva.

      This double cheeseburger is so delicious that it makes my mouth water.
  • To live from hand to mouth — helps to talk about a situation where a person’s income is only enough to pay for food and essentials.

      My grandparents lived from hand to mouth and worked hard to give their children a better life.

Test Your Knowledge of Mouth Meaning – Quiz Time!

Complete the exercises outlined below to understand how well you can define “mouth” in different cases, from idiomatic meanings to grammar features.

Type 1: True/false statements:
Choose the correct answer:
1
Toothless mouth is full of teeth.
2
You need to wipe your mouth if it is dirty.
3
Living from hand to mouth means a rich and prosperous life.
Type 2: Right word order:
Put these chaotic words in order:
1
has
big
full
He
and
a
mouth
lips
2
inside
The
was
candy
mouth
his
3
covered
with
She
her
hand
her
mouth
Type 3: Choose the correct option
Select the one closest in meaning:
1
The mouth of the word worked well for this restaurant. What does it mean?
2
The cake makes my mouth water. What does it say about the cake?
3
He opened his mouth, and then he closed it. What did he want to do?

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“Mouth” Word in Other Languages

Knowing how to spell “mouth” in different European languages, you will create more memory connections that will help you recall it quicker:

Language Word for “Mouth”
Flag Spanish Spanish   Boca
Flag French French   Bouche
Flag German German   Mund

Did You Know It? Fun Facts About “Mouth”

Was it interesting for you how much saliva a person’s mouth produces a day? Or what is the difference between tissues inside our mouths and skin? Have you ever wondered how many times a person opens their mouth in a day? Discover the answers immediately!

  • An average person secretes a litre of saliva a day.

    Our saliva is multifunctional, and it takes part in multiple processes, including digestion, swallowing, moisturizing, and oral protection. It is a treasure trove of the human body.
  • Mouth tissues regenerate faster than other body parts.

    Owing to proteins in saliva and good blood supply, it doesn’t take too long for a mouth to recover from an injury. Also, because the mucosa isn’t as thick as skin, cells regenerate much faster.
  • You probably open your mouth about 20,000 times per day.

    Of course, the number can be lower if you live alone and don’t like speaking on the phone. However, if you actively engage in conversations, sing, and eat in small spoonfuls, the total can be even higher.
  • The largest mouth gape record for women is 7.59.

    Marie Pearl Zellmer Robinson from the USA broke the record in 2025. She took a series of photos with her mouth open. Some are really fun, depicting her applying mascara to her eyelashes, which typically triggers people to open their mouths.

Famous Quotes Featuring “Mouth”

Ancient and modern thinkers found their inspiration in this word, coming up with quotations that remind us of the restorative and ruining power of lines that come out of our mouths.

“No, honestly, my mouth shouldn’t be able to function unless my brain’s engaged.”

— Jodi Picoult

Explanation: The author notes that before sharing something, a person needs to carefully consider what they are going to say. If a mind doesn’t participate in thought-creation, it is better for the mouth not to do the talking.

“We have two ears and one mouth, so we can listen twice as much as we speak.”

— Epictetus

Explanation: Being said thousands of years ago, the phrase is still relevant, referring to the point that listening is very important in relationships with others, just as much as speaking.

“If you build a great experience, customers tell each other about that. Word of mouth is very powerful.”

— Jeff Bezos

Explanation: Having earned a fortune, the man considered the richest person in the world, admitted that you can achieve significant milestones when you provide people with high-quality offerings, because they speak for themselves.