open-mouthed
Americanadjective
-
having the mouth open.
-
gaping, as with surprise or astonishment.
- Synonyms:
- thunderstruck, confounded
-
greedy, ravenous, or rapacious.
-
clamoring at the sight of game or prey, as hounds.
-
vociferous or clamorous.
-
having a wide mouth, as a pitcher or jar.
adjective
-
having an open mouth, esp in surprise
-
greedy or ravenous
-
clamorous or vociferous
Other Word Forms
- open-mouthedly adverb
- open-mouthedness noun
Etymology
Origin of open-mouthed
First recorded in 1525–35
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Longtime Hartford residents are staring wide-eyed and open-mouthed at the sudden housing boom.
From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 3, 2026
“And I remember, what was it—Bill Belichick’s girlfriend wasn’t even born yet?” he joked, leaving Hudson open-mouthed in surprise, while her partner simply chuckled along with the rest of the audience.
From MarketWatch • Dec. 3, 2025
When Anges’ initial screams twist into silent, open-mouthed sobs, “Hamnet” briefly becomes a conduit for grief’s potency.
From Salon • Nov. 30, 2025
Many watching on from the barriers were left open-mouthed at the scale of the welcome.
From BBC • Mar. 3, 2025
Her wails subsided, becoming long, jerky open-mouthed breaths.
From "Earthquake Terror" by Peg Kehret
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
