open-mouthed

adjective

ˌō-pən-ˈmau̇t͟hd

-ˈmau̇tht

variants or less commonly openmouthed

: having the mouth open

… bizarre touches such as fireplaces in the form of huge, open-mouthed, monstrous faces.—

Deborah Howard

especially : having the mouth open in an expression of shock, surprise, etc.

The crowd stood open-mouthed with murmurs of wonder … —

Gutzon Borglum

It was an incredible display of batting which left cricket fans … open-mouthed with astonishment. —

dailymail.co.uk

… you'll find the robot working away before an audience of openmouthed viewers. —

Edwards Park

: made or done with the mouth open

an open-mouthed yawn

If any open-mouthed kissing is involved in a role, the actor must be informed of this at the audition phase.—

Monty Brower

: causing an open-mouthed expression (as of shock or surprise)

[Jennifer] Capriati stared in openmouthed wonder at the sight of so many grown-ups acting like kids.—

S. L. Price

of a container : having a wide opening : wide-mouthed

open-mouthed jars

: clamorous, vociferous

It is certain that the ladies of this city … are all open-mouthed against the murderers of a sovereign …—

Thomas Jefferson

… if all I have said seems to you but mere open-mouthed praise of these arts, I must say that it is not for nothing that what I have hitherto put before you has taken that form.—

William Morris

openmouthedly

ˌō-pən-ˈmau̇-t͟həd-lē

-thəd-

adverb

openmouthedness

ˌō-pən-ˈmau̇-t͟həd-nəs

-thəd-

noun

Example Sentences

I stood there open-mouthed, unable to believe what I was seeing. the stunning view from the mountaintop left us open-mouthed and at a loss for words

Recent Examples on the Web Sandler nervously asks his open-mouthed co-star. —

Erin Jensen, USA TODAY, 30 Mar. 2023

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'open-mouthed.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.