jawbreaker

[ jaw-brey-ker ]

noun

1. Informal. a word that is hard to pronounce:

   real jawbreakers like "antidisestablishmentarianism" or "antiangiogenic."

2. a very hard, usually round, candy.
3. Also called jaw crusher. Mining. a machine used to break up ore, consisting of a fixed plate and a hinged jaw moved by a toggle joint.

jawbreaker

/ ˈdʒɔːˌbreɪkə /

noun

1. Also calledjawcrusher a device having hinged jaws for crushing rocks and ores
2. informal.
   a word that is hard to pronounce

Derived Forms

• ˈjawˌbreakingly, adverb
• ˈjawˌbreaking, adjective

Other Words From

• jaw·break·ing adjective
• jaw·break·ing·ly adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of jawbreaker¹

First recorded in 1830–40; jaw ¹ + breaker ¹

Example Sentences

Most people give little thought to Earth’s deep interior, thinking of our home planet as simple nested layers, like a jawbreaker hard candy.

From Washington Post

“You could get the giant jawbreaker, the one the size of a tennis ball, and you’d have it for a year.”

From New York Times

I feel like such a baby about the jawbreaker lump in my throat that feels like it’s gonna dissolve and spill outta my eyes in liquid form.

From Literature

I see those floppy ears and jawbreaker eyes and I’m a puddle of hot bone broth, like anyone else.

From New York Times

On the front counter there are two oversized jars full of gumballs, jawbreakers, and malted milk balls.

From Literature

Related Words

• sweet