jowl

¹

[ joul, johl ]

noun

1. a jaw, especially the lower jaw.
2. the cheek.

jowl

²

[ joul, johl ]

noun

1. a fold of flesh hanging from the jaw, as of a very fat person.
2. the meat of the cheek of a hog.
3. the dewlap of cattle.
4. the wattle of fowls.

jowl

¹

/ dʒaʊl /

noun

1. fatty flesh hanging from the lower jaw
2. a similar fleshy part in animals, such as the wattle of a fowl or the dewlap of a bull

jowl

²

/ dʒaʊl /

noun

1. the jaw, esp the lower one
2. often plural a cheek, esp a prominent one
3. cheek by jowl
   See cheek

Derived Forms

• jowled, adjective

Other Words From

• jowled adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of jowl¹

before 1000; Middle English chawl, chavell, Old English ceafl jaw; cognate with Dutch kevel, German Kiefer, Old Norse kjaptr

Origin of jowl²

First recorded in 1275–1325; Middle English cholle, Old English ceole “throat”; cognate with German Kehle “throat”

Word History and Origins

Origin of jowl¹

Old English ceole throat; compare Old High German kela

Origin of jowl²

Old English ceafl jaw; related to Middle High German kivel, Old Norse kjaptr

Idioms and Phrases

see cheek by jowl .

Example Sentences

It’s also true that advertisers expressed concerns after Musk’s acquisition, and his firing of most of the staff responsible for trust and safety at X, that the chances their ads would end up cheek by jowl with posts from malodorous tweeters would rise.

From Los Angeles Times

Beatrice and I were cheek by jowl under the door when out of the blue she blurted, “Well, I for one am not going to be left behind! The Upstairs Cranstons are heading for the lifeboat! I’m going too. We are their mice. Our fates are intertwined with theirs!”

From Literature

People, boats, hencoops, chairs, rafts, boards, and goodness knows what besides, all floating cheek by jowl....Many people were praying aloud in a curious, unemotional monotone; others were shouting for help in much the same slow impersonal chant: ‘Bo-at...bo-at...bo-at....’

From Literature

Ruoff’s team has already used it to make diamond films composed of thousands of tiny crystals packed cheek by jowl.

From Science Magazine

The real potential for a next-level night on the town comes with the synergy between Hind’s food and booze options being cheek by jowl with Irie’s food-and-weed lounge concept.

From Los Angeles Times