jowl

1 of 3

noun (1)

ˈjau̇(-ə)l 

sometimes

ˈjōl 

: usually slack flesh (such as a dewlap, wattle, or the pendulous part of a double chin) associated with the cheeks, lower jaw, or throat

jowl

2 of 3

noun (2)

1

a

: cheek sense 1

b

: the cheek meat of a hog

2

a

: jaw

especially : mandible

b

: one of the lateral halves of the mandible

jowl

3 of 3

noun (3)

: a cut of fish consisting of the head and usually adjacent parts

Examples of jowl in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

That’s an argument, by the way, for close plant spacing since the cheek-by-jowl intimacy of one plant with another shades roots and is conducive to lush growth. —Joshua Siskin, Oc Register, 30 Aug. 2025

Red tegu – Grows up to 4½ feet long; males have large jowls. —Saleen Martin, USA Today, 26 Aug. 2025

But with cottages cheek-by-jowl, getting away from it all doesn’t necessarily mean getting away from each other. —Dave Smith, Fortune, 24 Aug. 2025

Much like retrieving a ball from the fearsome jowls of a canine, this took some improvising. —Jordan Hoffman, EW.com, 9 Aug. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Noun (1)

alteration of Middle English cholle, probably from Old English ceole throat — more at glutton

Noun (2)

alteration of Middle English chavel, from Old English ceafl; akin to Middle High German kivel jaw, Avestan zafar- mouth

Noun (3)

alteration of Middle English choll

First Known Use

Noun (1)

1591, in the meaning defined above

Noun (2)

1598, in the meaning defined at sense 2a

Noun (3)

15th century, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing jowl

• cheek by jowl

Rhymes for jowl

• foul
• foule
• fowl
• growl
• howl
• owl
• prowl
• scowl
• afoul
• wildfowl
• waterfowl

Kids Definition

jowl

1 of 2 noun

ˈjau̇(ə)l 

1

: jaw entry 1 sense 1

especially : the lower jaw

2

: cheek sense 1

jowl

2 of 2 noun

: loose flesh associated with the cheeks, lower jaw, or throat

jowly

ˈjau̇-lē

adjective