jaw
jaw
Jaw (noun) means Either of the two bones that frame the mouth and hold the teeth. Example: “The dentist said my jaw was slightly sore from grinding my teeth.”
noun
1
Either of the two bones that frame the mouth and hold the teeth.
"The dentist said my jaw was slightly sore from grinding my teeth."
"The boxer took a hard punch to the jaw."
"He clenched his jaw in frustration."
2
The lower part of the face, below the mouth.
"The artist drew him with a narrow face and a sharp jaw."
"He rubbed the stubble along his jaw and smiled."
"She has a strong, square jaw."
3
Informal: idle or abusive talk; chatter.
"I've had enough of your jaw, so please just listen for once."
"Stop the idle jaw and help me carry these boxes."
"That's enough jaw out of you — get to work."
verb
1
To talk at length, especially casually or in an argument.
"The old neighbours jaw over the fence every Sunday morning."
"We sat jawing about football until the café closed."
"The two of them jawed for an hour about nothing in particular."
How to use jaw
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishThe bone structure of the mouth and chin area, or (informally) talking a lot.
Common pairings
jaw of the mouth
jut of the jaw
jaw dropped
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Word forms
- Plural
- jaws
- Third person singular
- jaws
- Past tense
- jawed
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The dentist said my _____ was slightly sore from grinding my teeth.
Etymology
Origin disputed — likely from Anglo-Norman "jowe" (cheek), though some trace it to Old English roots related to "chaw" and "chew."
Synonyms
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Frequently asked questions
What does “jaw” mean?
The word “jaw” means either of the two bones that frame the mouth and hold the teeth. In plain terms, the bone structure of the mouth and chin area, or (informally) talking a lot.
How do you pronounce “jaw”?
“Jaw” is pronounced jaw (/d͡ʒɔ/ in IPA).
How do you use “jaw” in a sentence?
Here is “jaw” used in a sentence: “The boxer took a hard punch to the jaw.”
What part of speech is “jaw”?
Depending on how it is used, “jaw” can be a noun and a verb.
Where does the word “jaw” come from?
The word “jaw” comes from Old English. Origin disputed — likely from Anglo-Norman "jowe" (cheek), though some trace it to Old English roots related to "chaw" and "chew.".
Is “jaw” a common word?
“Jaw” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B2 level.
How many meanings does “jaw” have?
“Jaw” has 4 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: either of the two bones that frame the mouth and hold the teeth.
What are the upper and lower jaws called?
In anatomy, the upper jaw is the maxilla and the lower jaw is the mandible. The mandible is the movable one, dropping and rising as you speak and chew, while the maxilla is fixed to the skull.
What is the difference between the jaw and the chin?
The jaw refers to the bones that frame the mouth and hold the teeth, or more loosely to the whole lower part of the face. The chin is only the small area at the very front, below the lower lip. Your chin sits on your jaw, but the jaw extends back towards the ears.
When does jaw mean to talk?
In informal English, jaw can be a verb meaning to talk at length, especially idly or in an argument: 'they sat jawing for hours'. As a noun it can likewise mean chatter or talk. Both uses are casual and slightly old-fashioned, so they are best kept out of formal writing.
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