jaw
B1Neutral; informal when referring to talking.
Definition
Meaning
The bony structure forming the framework of the mouth, consisting of the movable lower part (mandible) and the fixed upper part (maxilla).
1. The lower part of the face. 2. Metaphorically, any of various things resembling a jaw in shape or function, such as the gripping part of a tool. 3. Figuratively, tedious or prolonged talk (e.g., 'a jaw session').
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
The primary meaning refers to the anatomical structure. Its extended meanings (e.g., talking, mechanical parts) are context-dependent.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant differences in core meaning. The verb 'to jaw' (to talk) might be slightly more informal and dated in British English.
Connotations
Identical.
Frequency
Equally common in both varieties.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
[Verb] + jaw: break/fracture/set/clench one's jaw[Adj] + jaw: a broken/strong/square jaw[Possessive] + jaw: His jaw was tight.Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “jaw drops (in surprise)”
- “lock jaws (to stop talking)”
- “jaw away (to talk incessantly)”
- “out of the jaws of defeat (narrowly avoiding failure)”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Rarely used. Could appear in informal contexts: 'We had a long jaw about the merger.'
Academic
Common in medical, anatomical, and biological contexts.
Everyday
Very common for describing facial features, injury, or expressions of surprise.
Technical
Used in dentistry, surgery, mechanics (e.g., 'vice jaw').
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- They just sat there jawing all afternoon.
- Stop jawing and get to work!
American English
- The coach jawed at the referee for ten minutes.
- We were jawing about the game last night.
adverb
British English
- (Not standard; no common examples.)
American English
- (Not standard; no common examples.)
adjective
British English
- He suffered a jaw injury in the match.
- The boxer has incredible jaw strength.
American English
- She has a great jawline.
- It was a real jaw-breaking steak.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- He fell and hurt his jaw.
- My jaw hurts when I eat.
- The lion has a very big jaw.
- She clenched her jaw in frustration.
- His jaw dropped when he saw the price.
- The dentist examined my lower jaw.
- The boxer set his jaw and prepared for the next round.
- The mechanic tightened the vice jaws on the pipe.
- I wish he'd stop jawing on about politics.
- The anthropologist studied the fossilised jaw for clues about diet.
- He managed to snatch victory from the jaws of defeat.
- The legal wrangling was just the opening jaw of a much longer conflict.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of 'SAW'. You use your JAW to chew, and you use a SAW to cut wood. Both involve a back-and-forth motion.
Conceptual Metaphor
JAW IS A TOOL FOR HOLDING/GRIPPING (vice jaws), JAW IS A SYMBOL OF DETERMINATION (set his jaw), JAW IS A CONDUIT FOR SPEECH (jaw on about something).
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Do not confuse with 'check' (щека). 'Jaw' is specifically the bone structure. The Russian 'челюсть' is a precise equivalent.
Common Mistakes
- Incorrect: 'He has a pain in his cheek.' (if the pain is in the bone). Correct: 'He has a pain in his jaw.'
Practice
Quiz
In a mechanical context, 'jaw' most likely refers to:
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, it's used for all vertebrates (animals, fish).
The 'chin' is the protruding part at the front of the lower jaw. 'Jaw' refers to the entire bony structure.
Yes, informally it means to talk at length, often in a boring or complaining way (e.g., 'He was jawing on the phone').
It means extremely surprising or impressive, causing a reaction of stunned amazement.