Explanation at your level:
Your mouth is on your face. You use it to eat food and drink water. You also use it to talk to your friends. Remember to brush your teeth inside your mouth every day!
The mouth is the opening of the digestive system. We use our mouths to taste food and to speak. When you are hungry, your mouth helps you eat. When you are happy, your mouth can smile.
The mouth is essential for both nutrition and communication. It contains the tongue and teeth, which help us chew food and pronounce words clearly. It is also used to express emotions, such as smiling or frowning.
Beyond its biological function, the mouth is central to human interaction. We often use the word figuratively, such as the 'mouth of a river' or 'word of mouth' marketing. It is a versatile term in both anatomy and geography.
The term mouth serves as a focal point in both physiology and linguistics. In phonetics, the shape of the mouth cavity determines the resonance of speech sounds. Figuratively, it denotes an opening or entrance, as seen in geological features like canyons or caves.
Etymologically linked to Proto-Germanic roots, the 'mouth' represents the primary interface between the individual and the environment. Its usage spans from the literal anatomical structure to complex metaphors regarding speech, greed, or entry points. Understanding its nuances requires recognizing both its biological necessity and its symbolic weight in literature and idioms.
Word in 30 Seconds
- The mouth is the opening for eating and speaking.
- It contains teeth and the tongue.
- It is used in many common English idioms.
- The plural form is mouths.
The mouth is one of the most important parts of your body. It is not just for eating; it is the gateway to your health and how you communicate with the world.
Think of it as your body's front door. You use it to take in nutrients, but you also use it to express your thoughts and feelings through speech. It is a complex structure involving lips, teeth, and the tongue working together.
The word mouth comes from the Old English word mūth. It has roots in the Proto-Germanic munthaz, which is related to the German word Mund.
Interestingly, it shares a deep linguistic history with other Germanic languages. Over thousands of years, the spelling has stayed remarkably consistent, reflecting how fundamental this body part is to human survival and social interaction throughout history.
We use mouth in both literal and figurative ways. You might say, 'Open your mouth' at the doctor, but you might also hear about the 'mouth of a river' or 'the mouth of a cave.'
Common collocations include shut your mouth, watery mouth, or foul mouth. It is a very versatile word that fits into casual, daily conversation quite easily.
Idioms make English colorful! Here are five common ones:
- Keep your mouth shut: To stay silent.
- Born with a silver spoon in your mouth: To be born into a wealthy family.
- Word of mouth: Information spread by talking to people.
- Put your money where your mouth is: To support your words with action.
- Mouth-watering: Describes food that looks or smells delicious.
The plural of mouth is mouths. Note that while the singular ends in a 'th' sound like 'bath', the plural ends in a 'ths' sound like 'lathes'.
In British and American English, the IPA is /maʊθ/. It rhymes with south and youth. It is a countable noun, so you can have one mouth or many mouths.
Fun Fact
The word has remained almost identical for over 1000 years.
Pronunciation Guide
Sounds like 'mow' + 'th'
Similar to UK, short 'ow' sound
Common Errors
- Pronouncing it like 'mouse'
- Hard 'th' sound
- Adding extra syllables
Rhymes With
Difficulty Rating
Very easy to read.
Easy to write.
Simple pronunciation.
Clear sounds.
What to Learn Next
Prerequisites
Learn Next
Advanced
Grammar to Know
Plural Nouns
mouth -> mouths
Imperative Mood
Open your mouth!
Possessive Adjectives
his mouth
Examples by Level
Open your mouth wide.
Open = wide
Imperative verb
I have a small mouth.
Small = size
Have + noun
Close your mouth.
Close = shut
Imperative
The baby opened his mouth.
Baby = young child
Past tense
Do not talk with food in your mouth.
Food = eating
Prepositional phrase
Wash your mouth.
Wash = clean
Imperative
His mouth is red.
Red = color
Possessive pronoun
She has a big mouth.
Big = size
Verb have
Keep your mouth shut during the test.
The river has a wide mouth.
She covered her mouth when she laughed.
He put the apple in his mouth.
The medicine left a bad taste in my mouth.
She has a very expressive mouth.
Don't speak with your mouth full.
The dentist looked inside his mouth.
Word of mouth is the best way to find a good plumber.
The cave had a narrow mouth that was hard to enter.
He was born with a silver spoon in his mouth.
She put her foot in her mouth by saying the wrong thing.
The food was so good it made my mouth water.
He has a foul mouth when he is angry.
The mouth of the Amazon River is very wide.
She could not keep her mouth shut about the surprise party.
The company grew rapidly through word of mouth.
He is just a loud mouth who never does any work.
The secret spread by word of mouth across the campus.
She had to put her money where her mouth is.
The canyon mouth was blocked by fallen rocks.
He has a mouth like a sailor when he loses his temper.
She is always running her mouth about things she doesn't know.
The politician was all mouth and no action.
The river's mouth delta creates a unique ecosystem.
He has a tendency to shoot off at the mouth whenever he's nervous.
The sudden news left a bitter taste in my mouth.
She is a mouth-piece for the local government.
The architectural design features a cave-like mouth.
He is a mouth-breather who struggles with sinus issues.
The project was a success purely by word of mouth.
She has a mouth on her that can silence a room.
The river's mouth serves as a vital estuary for local wildlife.
His vitriolic mouth earned him many enemies in the senate.
She was a mere mouth-piece for the corporation's interests.
The cavern's mouth loomed like a dark abyss.
He has a mouth that could charm the birds from the trees.
The news spread by word of mouth through the rural village.
She possesses a mouth that is both beautiful and sharp.
The mouth of the volcano was still smoking.
Common Collocations
Idioms & Expressions
"Keep your mouth shut"
To stay quiet
I told him to keep his mouth shut about the surprise.
casual"Born with a silver spoon in your mouth"
Born into a rich family
He never worked because he was born with a silver spoon in his mouth.
neutral"Word of mouth"
Spoken information
The restaurant is popular by word of mouth.
neutral"Put your money where your mouth is"
Back up your words with action
If you think you can win, put your money where your mouth is.
casual"Mouth-watering"
Very delicious
The smell of the pie was mouth-watering.
neutral"Put your foot in your mouth"
Say something embarrassing
I really put my foot in my mouth at the meeting.
casualEasily Confused
similar sounds
mouse is an animal, mouth is a body part
A mouse ran into the mouth of the cave.
similar spelling
moth is an insect, mouth is a body part
The moth flew near my mouth.
contains the word
mouthful is a quantity
I took a mouthful of food.
part of the mouth
lips are the outer skin
She painted her lips.
Sentence Patterns
Subject + verb + mouth
He opened his mouth.
Subject + has + a + adjective + mouth
She has a big mouth.
Word of mouth + verb
Word of mouth helped the business.
Subject + put + foot + in + mouth
I put my foot in my mouth.
Subject + mouth + object
He mouthed the words to the song.
Word Family
Nouns
Verbs
Adjectives
Related
How to Use It
10
Formality Scale
Common Mistakes
Regular plural rule applies.
Mouth is a body part, not a synonym for a human.
It is one word.
Mouth as a verb means to move lips without sound.
Teeth are inside the mouth.
Tips
Mouth Mnemonic
Mouth starts with M for Munching.
River Mouth
Remember it's where the river 'eats' the sea.
Politeness
Don't talk with your mouth full.
Plural Rule
Add 's' to make mouths.
The 'th' sound
Put your tongue between your teeth.
Don't say 'mouthies'
Always use 'mouths'.
Did you know?
The mouth is the start of the digestive tract.
Word Web
Connect mouth to teeth, tongue, and speech.
Memorize It
Mnemonic
Mouth starts with M, just like 'Mmm' when you eat something tasty.
Visual Association
Imagine a big letter M shaped like open lips.
Word Web
Challenge
Try to use 'word of mouth' in a sentence today.
Word Origin
Old English
Original meaning: mūth
Cultural Context
None, standard anatomical term.
Used frequently in idioms about honesty and greed.
Practice in Real Life
Real-World Contexts
at the doctor
- Open your mouth
- Say ahh
- Show me your tongue
eating
- Don't talk with your mouth full
- Mouth-watering food
- Take a mouthful
geography
- Mouth of the river
- Mouth of the cave
- Wide opening
socializing
- Word of mouth
- Keep your mouth shut
- Run your mouth
Conversation Starters
"Do you prefer to eat with your mouth closed?"
"Have you ever put your foot in your mouth?"
"How does word of mouth affect your shopping?"
"What is the most mouth-watering dish you know?"
"Have you ever seen the mouth of a large river?"
Journal Prompts
Write about a time you said the wrong thing.
Describe your favorite food using the word mouth-watering.
Explain why word of mouth is important for small businesses.
Describe the mouth of a cave you imagine.
Frequently Asked Questions
8 questionsYes, you have one mouth, and others have mouths.
Yes, it means to move your lips without saying words.
Oral is usually used instead of mouthy.
It sounds like 'mow-thz'.
No, it is a standard body part.
Very tasty.
Yes, that is the entrance.
Because it spreads by people talking.
Test Yourself
I use my ___ to eat.
The mouth is for eating.
What is the plural of mouth?
Standard plural is mouths.
A river can have a mouth.
Yes, it is the place where it meets the sea.
Word
Meaning
Matches idioms to meanings.
Subject-Verb-Object.
Score: /5
Summary
The mouth is your body's essential tool for both nutrition and communication.
- The mouth is the opening for eating and speaking.
- It contains teeth and the tongue.
- It is used in many common English idioms.
- The plural form is mouths.
Mouth Mnemonic
Mouth starts with M for Munching.
River Mouth
Remember it's where the river 'eats' the sea.
Politeness
Don't talk with your mouth full.
Plural Rule
Add 's' to make mouths.
Example
The dentist told me to open my mouth wide so he could see my back teeth.
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Learn it in Context
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