gob
lowinformal, slang
Definition
Meaning
The mouth; a lump or clot of a slimy or sticky substance.
In British slang, can mean the mouth or, by extension, talking (e.g., 'shut your gob'). It also refers to a large amount or lump of something, typically a viscous substance like spit or phlegm. As a verb, it means to spit.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
The 'mouth' sense is primarily British slang, often considered impolite or childish. The 'lump of substance' sense is more general but still informal. Use with caution in formal contexts.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
The 'mouth' sense is overwhelmingly British/Irish. In American English, 'gob' is understood primarily as a lump of a substance or as a verb meaning 'to spit', though it's rare.
Connotations
In British usage, calling someone's mouth a 'gob' is rude or dismissive. In all varieties, it has coarse, somewhat vulgar connotations.
Frequency
Much more frequent in British English than in American English.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
Shut your [gob]!He gobbed [a wad of phlegm] [onto the pavement].A huge [gob] of glue stuck to his finger.Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “gob smacked (astounded)”
- “shut your gob!”
- “gob stopper (a large hard sweet)”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Not used.
Academic
Not used.
Everyday
Used informally, often among friends or in coarse speech.
Technical
Not used.
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- He was warned for gobbing on the street.
- The footballer gobbed at the referee.
American English
- The player got a penalty for gobbing on the field.
- He gobbed his chewing tobacco into the cup.
adverb
British English
- (not standard)
American English
- (not standard)
adjective
British English
- (not standard; 'gobby' is the related adjective for talkative)
American English
- (not standard)
Examples
By CEFR Level
- He has a big gob! (BrE)
- A gob of chewing gum was stuck under the desk.
- Shut your gob, I'm trying to listen! (BrE)
- The angry protester was arrested after gobbing at a police officer.
- She was gobsmacked by the unexpected news.
- The cave wall was covered in amorphous gobs of ancient resin.
- His constant, uninformed opinions revealed him as nothing more than a loud gob.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine a GOBlin with a huge, slimy MOUTH (gob) spitting a big GOB of green slime.
Conceptual Metaphor
THE MOUTH IS A CONTAINER (often for unpleasant things).
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Do not confuse with the Russian "гоб" (gob) which is not a word. The 'mouth' sense is closest to "пасть" or "хлебало" in rudeness. The 'lump' sense is close to "комок" or "сгусток".
Common Mistakes
- Using it in formal writing. Confusing 'gob' (mouth) with 'gab' (talk).
Practice
Quiz
In which variety of English is 'gob' most commonly used to mean 'mouth'?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, it is informal slang and can be considered rude or vulgar, especially when referring to someone's mouth.
It is a very large, hard boiled sweet that is meant to be sucked on for a long time, supposedly filling ('stopping') the mouth (gob).
It is a British slang term meaning utterly astonished or amazed, as if struck ('smacked') in the mouth ('gob'), leaving you speechless.
Yes, it means to spit, especially to spit phlegm. It is very informal and considered unpleasant (e.g., 'He gobbed on the pavement').
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