open-mouthed
|o-pen-mouthed|
🇺🇸
/ˌoʊpənˈmaʊðd/
🇬🇧
/ˌəʊpənˈmaʊðd/
mouth open in surprise
Etymology
'open-mouthed' originates from modern English as a compound of 'open' + 'mouthed' (the latter formed from 'mouth' + the adjectival/past participle suffix '-ed').
'open' goes back to Old English 'open' meaning 'not closed'; 'mouth' comes from Old English 'mūþ'. The compound 'open-mouthed' developed in Early Modern English by combining these elements to describe someone with their mouth open.
Initially used in a literal sense to describe a mouth being physically open; over time it acquired a frequent figurative sense meaning 'astonished' or 'aghast'.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Adjective 1
having the mouth physically open (often without speaking).
He stood open-mouthed, watching the fireworks.
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Adjective 2
showing surprise, astonishment, or disbelief.
The audience was open-mouthed at the unexpected twist.
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Antonyms
Last updated: 2026/01/04 06:29