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
1
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."
2
The open front end of a gun barrel, where the bullet exits.
"Smoke curled from the muzzle after the shot."
verb
1
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 notesIn 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
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Word forms
- Plural
- muzzles
- Third person singular
- muzzles
- Past tense
- muzzled
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
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.
Synonyms
View more →
gag
gun muzzle
Antonyms
unmuzzle
Related words
Rhymes for muzzle
See all rhymes for muzzle →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.
