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

Aware of them now, the dog shakes loose the can—his forelock matted, his jowl smeared with beans—and shrinks into the trees with a whimper that makes something tighten in Molly’s own chest. — Literary Hub, 3 Sep. 2026

Neece is calmly and casually kind, like a faithful bloodhound without jowls. — Emma Madden, Los Angeles Times, 21 Aug. 2026

In May 2026, Tyman also underwent a facelift where her jowls were moved and fat from her stomach was transferred to her face to fill in a gap. — Vanessa Etienne, PEOPLE, 20 Aug. 2026

This is good old Mother Earth, and the Inuit people have thrived here for a few thousand years, living cheek to jowl with muskox, polar bears, caribou, tundra grizzlies, red fox, Arctic fox and hordes of ducks and geese. — Ron Spomer, Outdoor Life, 19 Aug. 2026

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