jowly

“Jowly” is an adjective describing someone or something with heavy, fleshy, or sagging cheeks and jaw, especially around the lower part of the face. The word often gives an impression of age, bulk, or a distinctly rugged appearance, although it can also be used playfully or humorously. It is commonly seen in phrases such as “a jowly face” and “jowly cheeks,” and its sound is easily confused with “jolly,” which means cheerful rather than physically heavy-featured. Because it draws attention to a particular facial feature, “jowly” is usually informal and mildly evaluative. It can describe people, animals, or even a sculpted or drawn face, making it useful when precise visual description matters.

Having jowls; having heavy, fleshy, or sagging cheeks and jaw. The term is often used to describe a face that appears full or aged around the lower cheeks and chin.

Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.

Where does jowly come from?

“Jowly” was formed in English by adding the suffix “-y” to “jowl.” “Jowl” is an Old English word for the cheek or lower cheek, and the modern adjective developed from that older noun. The word is related to other English facial terms, including “jaw” and “cheek,” although the exact historical relationship among these forms is less straightforward than their modern associations suggest.

How jowly is actually used

The word is usually somewhat humorous or mildly disparaging. It is more common in informal and descriptive writing than in formal or neutral contexts.

Easily confused with jowly

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Words and phrases paired with jowly

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Rhymes with jowly