motor-mouth: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1Informal, often humorous
Quick answer
What does “motor-mouth” mean?
A person who talks excessively or rapidly.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A person who talks excessively or rapidly.
A noun referring to someone whose speech is characteristically incessant, fast, and often without much forethought; can also be used attributively (e.g., motor-mouth friend).
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in meaning or form. The term is equally common in both varieties.
Connotations
Slightly more likely to be used in a teasing, less critical way in British English. In American English, it can carry a stronger implication of annoyance.
Frequency
Moderately common in both varieties, with similar frequency.
Grammar
How to Use “motor-mouth” in a Sentence
be a motor-mouthhave a motor-mouthcall someone a motor-mouthVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “motor-mouth” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- Verb form is extremely rare and non-standard.
American English
- Verb form is extremely rare and non-standard.
adverb
British English
- Adverb form does not exist.
American English
- Adverb form does not exist.
adjective
British English
- He's got a motor-mouth brother who never stops.
- Her motor-mouth commentary was hilarious.
American English
- I have a motor-mouth coworker in every meeting.
- His motor-mouth habits are well known.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rare. Might be used informally to describe a colleague who dominates meetings.
Academic
Very rare; considered too colloquial.
Everyday
Common in informal conversation and descriptions.
Technical
Not used.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “motor-mouth”
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “motor-mouth”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “motor-mouth”
- Using it as a verb (e.g., 'He motor-mouthed the story' is non-standard).
- Spelling inconsistently (motor mouth, motormouth). Hyphenated form is standard.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
It can be, depending on tone and context. It is often used humorously or affectionately among friends, but it can also express irritation.
No, it is not standard. It is primarily a noun and can be used attributively as an adjective. Using it as a verb (e.g., 'He motor-mouthed the plans') is non-standard and would sound odd.
The standard, dictionary-recorded spelling is hyphenated: 'motor-mouth'.
Not directly. Terms like 'conversationalist' or 'communicative' are positive but do not carry the same connotation of excessive or rapid speech. 'Motor-mouth' inherently suggests a lack of restraint.
A person who talks excessively or rapidly.
Motor-mouth is usually informal, often humorous in register.
Motor-mouth: in British English it is pronounced /ˈməʊtə maʊθ/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈmoʊt̬ɚ maʊθ/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “She's got a motor-mouth that just won't quit.”
- “His motor-mouth gets him into trouble.”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine a mouth with a motor inside, making it run (talk) non-stop.
Conceptual Metaphor
THE MOUTH IS A MACHINE (that runs incessantly).
Practice
Quiz
In which context is 'motor-mouth' LEAST likely to be used appropriately?