noun
maw
maw
Maw (noun) means the stomach or throat of an animal, especially a large or fearsome one. Example: “The whale's enormous maw could swallow a small boat whole.”
noun
1
The stomach or throat of an animal, especially a large or fearsome one.
"The whale's enormous maw could swallow a small boat whole."
2
Any large opening that seems to swallow things up.
"One two! I was born in a cross-fire hurricane. And I howled at the maw in the drivin' rain. But it's all right now, in fact, it's a gas. But it's all right. I'm Jumpin' Jack Flash. It's a gas, gas, gas."
— , Jumping Jack Flash (Live 1973) (2011)
"The old mine shaft opened like a dark maw in the hillside."
How to use maw
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA dramatic, old-fashioned word for a creature's stomach or mouth, or any gaping, swallowing-looking opening.
When to use it
Mostly used in literary or dramatic writing rather than everyday speech.
Common pairings
the maw of the beast
a gaping maw
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Word forms
- Plural
- maws
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The whale's enormous _____ could swallow a small boat whole.
Etymology
From Old English maga, "stomach," related to German Magen and Dutch maag — all going back to a very old Germanic word for "belly."
Synonyms
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Frequently asked questions
What does “maw” mean?
The word “maw” means the stomach or throat of an animal, especially a large or fearsome one. In plain terms, a dramatic, old-fashioned word for a creature's stomach or mouth, or any gaping, swallowing-looking opening.
How do you pronounce “maw”?
“Maw” is pronounced maw (/mɔ/ in IPA).
How do you use “maw” in a sentence?
Here is “maw” used in a sentence: “The whale's enormous maw could swallow a small boat whole.”
What part of speech is “maw”?
“Maw” is a noun.
Where does the word “maw” come from?
The word “maw” comes from Old English. From Old English maga, "stomach," related to German Magen and Dutch maag — all going back to a very old Germanic word for "belly.".
How many meanings does “maw” have?
“Maw” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: the stomach or throat of an animal, especially a large or fearsome one.
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