What does "jaw" mean?
One of the bones, usually bearing teeth, which form the framework of the mouth.
Jaw
/d͡ʒɔ/ noun, verb, slang
noun, verb, slang ·Common ·Middle school level
Meaning at a glance
- Primary sense: One of the bones, usually bearing teeth, which form the framework of the mouth.
- Grammar: jaw is listed as noun, verb, slang.
- Nearest alternatives: abuse, babble, back talk, bark at.
- Useful contrasts: brow, encourage, gena.
- Usage evidence: The punch on the jaw brought me to my knees.
How to use "jaw"
- Start with the primary definition, then check the part of speech before placing the word in a sentence.
- Compare nearby synonyms to make sure "jaw" carries the exact meaning, tone, and strength you need.
- Use the example sentence as a context check. If your sentence uses the word differently, confirm that the grammar still fits.
Meaning check
- Does the word fit the sentence's grammar?
- Does it match the intended tone rather than only the dictionary definition?
- Would a simpler synonym be clearer for the reader?
- Is there enough surrounding context to prevent ambiguity?
Source and review context
This entry combines structured lexical data with WordToolSet review checks. Definitions, examples, synonyms, and usage notes may come from different source tables, so the page is designed to show evidence from more than one angle before you rely on "jaw" in a final draft.
If a word has several senses, prefer the sense that matches your sentence's grammar and surrounding context. A correct definition can still be the wrong choice when the sentence needs a different register, emphasis, or level of specificity.
Before you rely on this definition
Read the first definition as a starting point, then check the example, synonyms, and part of speech before treating "jaw" as the right word for your sentence.
If your draft is formal, technical, persuasive, or sensitive, compare "jaw" with a nearby alternative so the final choice matches both meaning and reader expectation.
Compare nearby meanings
- Use synonyms when you need a softer, stronger, simpler, or more specific word.
- Use antonyms to check the boundary of the meaning and avoid accidental contrast.
- Use the example sentence to confirm the word behaves naturally in context.
- Keep the original wording when a replacement adds complexity without improving precision.
Definition decision workflow
1. Identify the role
Check whether "jaw" is acting as noun, verb, slang in your sentence. A definition is only useful when the grammar matches the way the word is being used.
2. Test the nearest option
Compare it with "abuse" and other nearby choices to see whether the sentence needs a softer, stronger, or more familiar word.
3. Confirm with context
Use the example sentence below as an evidence check, then read your own sentence out loud to catch tone or rhythm problems.
Review note: Definition pages are checked for source coverage, sentence evidence, synonym support, and editorial insight before they are treated as approval-ready pages. If the evidence is too thin, the page remains available to users but is kept out of the approval-facing indexed inventory.
Final meaning check
Before publishing a sentence with "jaw", ask whether the word helps the reader understand the idea faster. A precise word should reduce confusion, not simply make the sentence look more polished.
When the definition, synonym evidence, and example context point in the same direction, the word is usually a safer choice. When they conflict, revise the sentence or choose a clearer alternative.
Definitions
Noun
- 1 One of the bones, usually bearing teeth, which form the framework of the mouth.
- 2 A wave, a billow, a breaker. Northern-England, Scotland
"Upo' the briny Borean jaws to float,"
- 3 holding device consisting of one or both of the opposing parts of a tool that close to hold an object wordnet
- 4 The part of the face below the mouth.
"His jaw dropped in amazement."
- 5 A dash or spurt of water; any large quantity of water or other liquid. Northern-England, Scotland
"But sweetly bends the reamin' bicker, To drown dull care in jaws o' liquor."
Show 10 more definitions
- 6 the part of the skull of a vertebrate that frames the mouth and holds the teeth wordnet
- 7 Anything resembling the jaw (sense 1) of an animal in form or action; the mouth or way of entrance. especially, figuratively, in-plural
"the jaws of a pass; the jaws of darkness; the jaws of death."
- 8 the bones of the skull that frame the mouth and serve to open it; the bones that hold the teeth wordnet
- 9 A notch or opening.
- 10 A notched or forked part, adapted for holding an object in place.
"the jaw of a railway-car pedestal."
- 11 One of a pair of opposing parts which are movable towards or from each other, for grasping or crushing anything between them.
"the jaws of a vise; the jaws of a stone-crushing machine."
- 12 The inner end of a boom or gaff, hollowed in a half circle so as to move freely on a mast.
- 13 Impudent, abusive, or worthless talk. dated, slang
"Give me the boy, now, and no more of your jaw. I am going to take the boy home with me."
- 14 An axle guard. slang
- 15 The curved part of the cushion marking the entry to the pocket.
Verb
- 1 To assail or abuse by scolding. transitive
"1933, Ethel Lina White, The Spiral Staircase (Some Must Watch), Chapter 4, http://gutenberg.net.au/ebooks03/0300931.txt He built the Summit, so as to have no neighbours. And Lady Warren couldn't abide It. She was always jawing him about it, and they had one awful quarrel, in his study."
- 2 To pour or throw out. Scotland, transitive
"Bletherum bore her to the vestry, Jaw'd some water in her face; […]"
- 3 censure severely or angrily wordnet
- 4 To scold; to clamor. intransitive
"[…] he waked him, which put him in a main high passion, and he swore woundily at the lieutenant, and called him lousy Scotch son of a whore […], and swab, and lubber, whereby the lieutenant returned the salute, and they jawed together fore and aft a good spell, till at last the captain turned out, and, laying hold of a rattan, came athwart Mr. Bowling's quarter: whereby he told the captain that, if he was not his commander, he would heave him overboard […]"
- 5 To splash; to surge. Scotland, transitive
"'Twas freezin', thowin', rainin', snawin', In souple turns; While sheughs an' deep fur-drains were jawin' To spate the burns."
Show 5 more definitions
- 6 talk incessantly and tiresomely wordnet
- 7 To talk; to converse. informal, intransitive
"Today the beastly boat is level at last and the sun’s out and we have all been jawing about what to do."
- 8 talk socially without exchanging too much information wordnet
- 9 (of a ball) To stick in the jaws of a pocket. intransitive, transitive
- 10 chew (food); to bite and grind with the teeth wordnet
Synonyms
All synonymsExample
"The punch on the jaw brought me to my knees."
Common questions
What is a synonym for "jaw"?
Common synonyms include: abuse, babble, back talk, bark at, baste, bat the breeze.
How do you use "jaw" in a sentence?
The punch on the jaw brought me to my knees.
How do you pronounce "jaw"?
Pronounced /d͡ʒɔ/.
Etymology
Etymology 1
From Middle English jawe/jowe (“jaw; sides of the lower face”, 14th century), the further origin of which is disputed. Either: * From Anglo-Norman jowe, from Old French joe (“cheek; jaw”), from Vulgar Latin *ga(v)ota (“cheek”), of uncertain further origin. ** It has been objected that the rhyming of jowe (“jaw”) with clowe (“claw”) in Middle English demonstrates that it did not have the vowel /uː/. This would be a concern if /uː/ were the vowel to expect from a borrowing of the Old French word, which it is not. Compare English paw < Middle English pawe/powe < Anglo-Norman powe < Old French poe. * From Middle English *chowe, from Old English *ċēowe. The main difficulties with this theory are the notable lack of evidence and the late attestation of chaw (early 16th century). If it is correct, then the further origin would be Proto-West Germanic *keuwā (“jaw”), whence Saterland Frisian Kiuwe, Dutch kieuw, German Keu, Käu. For the initial consonant, compare jowl as a variant of chavel/chawl. It is also conceivable that the word is a merger of two coincidentally similar sources. Gradually displaced Middle English chavel (from Old English ċeafl).
Etymology 2
Uncertain. Attested since 1513 (as a verb and noun) in Scots. The DSL speculates that it might be related to Scots (and Northern English dialectal) jall, joll "knock, bump; toll (a bell)" via the notion of knocking "one thing against another, as waves on a rock". The EDD compares Old Norse jaga (“move to and fro”).