open-mouthed

adjective

ˌō-pən-ˈmau̇t͟hd  -ˈmau̇tht 

variants or less commonly openmouthed

1

a

: 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

b

: 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

c

: 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

2

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

open-mouthed jars

3

: 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

Synonyms

• wondering
• bewildered
• dumfounded
• awestricken

Examples of open-mouthed in a Sentence

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

The oldest of three brothers, he was followed into professional football by Bob, who played for Halifax Town, Middlesbrough, Notts County and Southend United, and then by Frank, who, from a very early age, could do things with a ball that would leave his siblings open-mouthed. —Oliver Kay, New York Times, 8 Oct. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 3

Rhymes for open-mouthed

• mouthed

Kids Definition

openmouthed

adjective

open·​mouthed ˌō-pən-ˈmau̇t͟hd  -ˈmau̇tht 

1

: having the mouth wide open

2

: struck with amazement or wonder