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jowl

C1
UK/dʒaʊl/US/dʒaʊl/

Formal, Literary, Technical (Culinary/Butchery)

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Definition

Meaning

the lower part of a person's or animal's cheek, especially when it is fleshy or hanging.

The word can also refer to the cheek meat or cheek area of an animal, often used as food (e.g., pork jowl), or metaphorically to suggest something akin to or resting against a cheek.

Linguistics

Semantic Notes

Has two main senses: 1) Anatomical/Physical: the fleshy part of the lower cheek and jaw, often implying a heavy or pendulous quality. 2) Culinary: a specific cut of meat from this area.

Dialectal Variation

British vs American Usage

Differences

The anatomical sense is identical. In the culinary context, 'pork jowl' is common in the US, while UK butchery might refer to 'cheek' more generically.

Connotations

In both, the word often carries connotations of weight, age, or a heavy, fleshy appearance. Neutral in culinary contexts.

Frequency

Low frequency in everyday speech in both regions. More likely encountered in literature, anatomical description, or food contexts.

Vocabulary

Collocations

strong
pork jowlheavy jowlsagging jowlsfleshy jowls
medium
man's jowldog's jowlsshake one's jowlsrub his jowl
weak
lean jowlclean jowlagainst his jowl

Grammar

Valency Patterns

[determiner] + [adjective] + jowljowl + of + [possessor]jowl against/by + [object]jowl + to + jowl

Vocabulary

Synonyms

Strong

dewlapwattle

Neutral

cheekjawjawline

Weak

facelower face

Vocabulary

Antonyms

browforeheadtemple

Phrases

Idioms & Phrases

  • “cheek by jowl”
  • “jowl to jowl”

Usage

Context Usage

Business

Almost never used.

Academic

Rare, except in literary analysis or anatomical texts.

Everyday

Very rare. Might be used humorously or descriptively.

Technical

Common in culinary arts (butchery) and veterinary anatomy.

Examples

By CEFR Level

B1
  • The old bulldog had loose skin under its jowls.
  • He rubbed the tiredness from his jowl.
B2
  • The portrait captured the subject's heavy, thoughtful jowls perfectly.
  • Pork jowl, when cured and smoked, becomes a delicious ingredient for stews.
C1
  • As he aged, the once firm line of his jaw softened into sagging jowls.
  • The two buildings stood cheek by jowl in the crowded city centre, with no space between them.

Learning

Memory Aids

Mnemonic

Think of an OWL with a heavy, pronounced jawline – JOWL.

Conceptual Metaphor

LOOSENESS IS AGE/DECAY (sagging jowls as a sign of aging).

Watch out

Common Pitfalls

Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)

  • Not 'челюсть' (jaw) which is more about the bone structure. Closer to 'щека' (cheek), but specifically the lower, heavy part. 'Подбородок' (chin) is separate. The idiom 'cheek by jowl' translates to 'бок о бок' (side by side), not literally.

Common Mistakes

  • Confusing 'jowl' (cheek) with 'joule' (unit of energy).
  • Using it to mean 'chin'.
  • Incorrect plural: 'jowls' is standard for the anatomical feature.

Practice

Quiz

Fill in the gap
After losing weight, his once fleshy became more defined.
Multiple Choice

In which context is 'jowl' most commonly used?

FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

No, it's commonly used for animals as well, especially dogs with loose facial skin. It also refers to a cut of meat from pigs.

It means 'very close together', often in a cramped or intimate way. It's used both literally and figuratively.

The plural is 'jowls', especially when referring to the anatomical feature (e.g., 'his jowls shook'). The singular is often used in culinary contexts (e.g., 'pork jowl').

No, 'jowl' is not standardly used as a verb in contemporary English. It is a noun.