mouth/n. maʊθ; v. maʊð/USA pronunciationn., pl.mouths/maʊðz/USA pronunciation , v. n.
Zoology the opening through which a person or animal takes in food:[countable]The baby closed his mouth and wouldn't eat.
a person or animal who depends on someone for food or shelter:[countable]another mouth to feed.
Anatomy the opening in the face thought of as the source of speaking:[countable]Secrets came tumbling out of his mouth.
talk, esp. loud, empty, or boastful talk, or disrespectful talk or language:[uncountable]I won't take any more mouth from you!
an opening leading out of or into a hole or a hollow thing:[countable]the mouth of the jar.
Geography the lower end of a river or stream, where flowing water is discharged:[countable]at the mouth of the river.
v.
to say (something) without believing or understanding:[~ + object]mouthed the usual empty promises for reform.
to form (a word, etc.) silently in one's mouth: [~ + object]He mouthed a few words at me, but I couldn't figure them out.[used with quotations]She mouthed "I can't'' at me from across the room.
Slang Termsmouth off, [no object]
to talk disrespectfully to someone; sass.
to express one's opinions forcefully or without holding oneself back:He's always mouthing off at our meetings.
Idioms
Idioms, Informal Termsdown in or at the mouth, greatly saddened; dejected:In the last week of summer vacation she looked down in the mouth.
mouth(n. mouth;v. mouᵺ),USA pronunciationn., pl.mouths(mouᵺz),USA pronunciationv. n.
Anatomy
the opening through which an animal or human takes in food.
Dentistrythe cavity containing the structures used in mastication.
Dentistrythe structures enclosing or being within this cavity, considered as a whole.
Anatomythe masticating and tasting apparatus.
a person or animal dependent on someone for sustenance:another mouth to feed.
Anatomythe oral opening or cavity considered as the source of vocal utterance.
utterance or expression:to give mouth to one's thoughts.
talk, esp. loud, empty, or boastful talk:That man is all mouth.
disrespectful talk or language; back talk; impudence.
a grimace made with the lips.
an opening leading out of or into any cavity or hollow place or thing:the mouth of a cave; a bottle's mouth.
Geographythe outfall at the lower end of a river or stream, where flowing water is discharged, as into a lake, sea, or ocean:the mouth of the Nile.
the opening between the jaws of a vise or the like.
Music and Dancethe lateral hole of an organ pipe.
Music and Dancethe lateral blowhole of a flute.
Idioms, Informal Termsdown in or at the mouth, [Informal.]dejected; depressed; disheartened:Ever since he lost his job, he has been looking very down in the mouth.
Idioms, Informal Termsrun off at the mouth, [Informal.]to talk incessantly or indiscreetly.
Idiomstalk out of both sides of one's mouth, to make contradictory or untruthful statements.
v.t.
to utter in a sonorous or pompous manner, or with excessive mouth movements:to mouth a speech.
to form (a word, sound, etc.) with the lips without actually making an utterance:She silently mouthed her answer so as not to wake her napping child.
to utter or pronounce softly and indistinctly; mumble:Stop mouthing your words and speak up.
to put or take into the mouth, as food.
to press, rub, or chew at with the mouth or lips:The dog mouthed the toys.
to accustom (a horse) to the use of the bit and bridle.
v.i.
to speak sonorously and oratorically, or with excessive mouth movement.
to grimace with the lips.
Slang Termsmouth off:
to talk back; sass:He mouthed off to his mother.
to express one's opinions, objections, or the like in a forceful or uninhibited manner, esp. in public.
bef. 900; Middle English; Old English mūth; cognate with German Mund, Old Norse munnr
mouth′er, n. mouth′less, adj.
5.See corresponding entry in Unabridged voice, speech.