jaw

Meanings

1. 1nouncountable

   Either of the two bony parts that form the mouth and hold the teeth.

   Grammar: Countable: a jaw, the jaw, jaws. Often used in the plural when referring to both parts.

   Patterns

   • break your jaw
   • the lower jaw
   • the upper jaw

   He broke his jaw in the accident.

   The dentist examined her upper jaw.

   The dog held the bone firmly in its jaws.

2. 2nouncountable

   The lower part of the face that moves when you speak or eat; the jawline.

   Grammar: Countable; often used in the singular with 'his', 'her', etc.

   Patterns

   • a strong jaw
   • a square jaw

   She has a strong jaw and high cheekbones.

   He rubbed his jaw thoughtfully.

3. 3nouncountabletechnical

   One of the two parts of a tool or machine that open and close to grip things.

   Grammar: Countable; usually in the plural: the jaws of a vise.

   Patterns

   • the jaws of a vise
   • the jaws of a clamp

   Tighten the jaws of the vise around the pipe.

   The robot's jaws picked up the hot metal.

Word forms

Common combinations

break your jaw

He fell off his bike and broke his jaw.

lower jaw

The lower jaw is called the mandible.

upper jaw

The upper jaw is fixed to the skull.

jaw drops

My jaw dropped when I saw the surprise.

set your jaw

She set her jaw and refused to give up.

Synonyms and how they differ

mandible

The technical, medical term for the lower jaw; use it in scientific contexts, not in everyday speech.

jawbone

Refers specifically to the bone of the jaw, often when talking about anatomy or injury.

Word family

jawbone noun

The bone of the jaw.

jawline noun

The outline or shape of the lower jaw.

jaw-dropping adjective

Extremely surprising or impressive.

Commonly confused: jaw or jar?

Practice

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