What does openmouthed mean?
Openmouthed describes someone with their mouth open, usually because surprise, astonishment, or amazement has temporarily arrested their reaction. The expression is strongly visual: it evokes wide eyes, a dropped jaw, and a moment of stunned disbelief. It commonly appears in narrative writing and in phrases such as “open-mouthed wonder” or “open-mouthed astonishment.” Although it can be understood literally, its usual connotation is dramatic surprise rather than a deliberate act of keeping one's mouth open. Openmouthed may also suggest that someone has noticed something remarkable but has not yet spoken. The compound is normally written with a hyphen, as “open-mouthed,” and is used in both British and American English.
adjectiveHaving the mouth wide open, especially as a result of astonishment, surprise, or amazement.
- Having one's mouth open, especially in astonishment or amazement.
"She stared at the astonishing spectacle with an openmouthed expression."
"The children watched the magician in openmouthed silence."
"He was equally openmouthed about the extraordinary discovery."
Openmouthed captures that involuntary moment when surprise leaves every person standing with jaw dropped.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does openmouthed come from?
The word is a modern English compound formed from “open” and the root of “mouth,” with the suffix “-ed” making the second element adjectival. It belongs to a productive family of English words built on “mouth,” including “mouthful,” “mouthpiece,” and “mouthwash.” Its wording follows the established English pattern for describing a person as having the mouth in a particular condition, as in “red-faced” or “wide-eyed.”
How openmouthed is actually used
The adjective is usually written with a hyphen as “open-mouthed” in standard English. It is most natural in descriptive or narrative prose and often describes a person's face, expression, or reaction rather than the person as a whole.
Easily confused with openmouthed
Openmouthed describes a physical expression caused by surprise, whereas open-minded describes a willingness to consider new ideas.