noun Uncommon

muzzle

MUH-zuhl

Muzzle (noun) means an animal's nose and mouth area, or a strap-on device fitted over it to stop biting or eating. Example: “The dog's muzzle twitched at the smell of food.”

noun

An animal's nose and mouth area, or a strap-on device fitted over it to stop biting or eating.

"The dog's muzzle twitched at the smell of food."

"They put a muzzle on the dog before the vet visit."

The open front end of a gun barrel, where the bullet exits.

"Smoke curled from the muzzle after the shot."

verb

To stop someone from speaking freely or expressing an opinion; to silence.

"Critics accused the government of trying to muzzle the press."

"The new policy effectively muzzled employees who wanted to raise concerns."

How to Use Muzzle

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishLiterally, the covering on an animal's snout; figuratively, silencing someone so they can't speak out.

Common pairings

muzzle a dog muzzle the press gun muzzle

Word Forms

muzzled past tense, muzzles plural, muzzles singular

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The dog's _____ twitched at the smell of food.

Etymology

From Old French musel/museau, ultimately from Late Latin mūsus ("snout") — the same root that gives French museau today.

Origin: Late Latin

Synonyms

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gag gun muzzle

Related Words

joke prank gag jest practical joke dad joke one-liner heave

Rhymes for muzzle

puzzle guzzle

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Frequently Asked Questions

What does “muzzle” mean?

The word “muzzle” means an animal's nose and mouth area, or a strap-on device fitted over it to stop biting or eating. In plain terms, literally, the covering on an animal's snout; figuratively, silencing someone so they can't speak out.

How do you pronounce “muzzle”?

“Muzzle” is pronounced MUH-zuhl (/ˈmʌzəl/ in IPA).

How do you use “muzzle” in a sentence?

Here is “muzzle” used in a sentence: “The dog's muzzle twitched at the smell of food.”

What part of speech is “muzzle”?

Depending on how it is used, “muzzle” can be a noun and a verb.

Where does the word “muzzle” come from?

The word “muzzle” comes from Late Latin. From Old French musel/museau, ultimately from Late Latin mūsus ("snout") — the same root that gives French museau today.

Is “muzzle” a common word?

“Muzzle” is an uncommon word in modern English.

How many meanings does “muzzle” have?

“Muzzle” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: an animal's nose and mouth area, or a strap-on device fitted over it to stop biting or eating.

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