allmouth: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
Very Low / ObscureTechnical (zoology) / Archaic (figurative)
Quick answer
What does “allmouth” mean?
A type of deep-sea anglerfish, specifically a fish of the family Lophiidae or Ceratiidae, notable for its large head and gaping mouth.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A type of deep-sea anglerfish, specifically a fish of the family Lophiidae or Ceratiidae, notable for its large head and gaping mouth.
A person who is all talk and no action; someone who boasts or promises much but delivers little.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant regional difference in the literal zoological term. The figurative usage is equally archaic in both dialects.
Connotations
Both dialects treat the word as a highly specialised or historical term.
Frequency
Extremely rare in contemporary use in either sense, primarily found in old dictionaries or very specific scientific contexts.
Grammar
How to Use “allmouth” in a Sentence
The [adjective] allmouth [verb]...He is an allmouth.Vocabulary
Collocations
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Not used.
Academic
Used only in specialised marine biology or historical zoology texts.
Everyday
Virtually never used. The figurative sense is obsolete.
Technical
A specific term for certain lophiiform fish.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “allmouth”
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “allmouth”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “allmouth”
- Spelling as two words: 'all mouth'.
- Using it as a modern insult; it sounds archaic.
- Assuming it is a common word.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, it is an extremely rare and obscure word. Most native speakers would not know it.
While this was a historical figurative use, it is now obsolete. Using it would sound archaic and strange. Terms like 'blowhard' or 'braggart' are modern equivalents.
'Allmouth' is a specific, somewhat old-fashioned common name for certain species within the broader anglerfish order (Lophiiformes). Not all anglerfish are called allmouths.
Treat it as a curiosity or a specialised term for marine biology. For general vocabulary building, focus on its more common synonym 'anglerfish' and the modern figurative phrase 'all talk'.
A type of deep-sea anglerfish, specifically a fish of the family Lophiidae or Ceratiidae, notable for its large head and gaping mouth.
Allmouth is usually technical (zoology) / archaic (figurative) in register.
Allmouth: in British English it is pronounced /ˈɔːlmaʊθ/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈɔːlmaʊθ/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “He's all mouth and no trousers (UK, similar figurative concept)”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine a fish whose head is ALL MOUTH, gaping wide in the dark sea.
Conceptual Metaphor
A BIG MOUTH STANDS FOR EMPTY BOASTING (source domain: animal anatomy -> target domain: human behavior).
Practice
Quiz
What is the primary contemporary meaning of 'allmouth'?