motormouth: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1-C2 / InformalInformal, slightly derogatory, colloquial
Quick answer
What does “motormouth” mean?
A person who talks excessively, rapidly, and often without thinking.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A person who talks excessively, rapidly, and often without thinking.
Someone whose speech is nonstop, often loud, irritating, or indiscreet; can imply someone who talks so much they seem powered by a motor.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
More common in American English, but fully understood in British English.
Connotations
Equally negative/informal in both varieties. UK might use 'chatterbox' or 'gobby' for similar effect.
Frequency
Higher frequency in US media/colloquial speech.
Grammar
How to Use “motormouth” in a Sentence
[be] a motormouth[have] a motormouth[call someone] a motormouthVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “motormouth” in a Sentence
adjective
British English
- He's got a real motormouth cousin.
- I avoid the motormouth bloke at the pub.
American English
- She's known as the motormouth host of the show.
- My motormouth brother called again.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Informal criticism of a colleague who dominates meetings: 'We need less from the motormouth and more from the team.'
Academic
Rare; informal peer description.
Everyday
Common to describe a friend, family member, or media personality who talks incessantly.
Technical
Not used.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “motormouth”
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “motormouth”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “motormouth”
- Using as a verb (*He motormouthed the news).
- Using in formal contexts.
- Confusing with 'loudmouth' (which emphasizes volume/opinionated speech, not necessarily speed/quantity).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Most often it is critical or gently mocking. It can be used affectionately among friends/family, but the core meaning is negative.
No, it is a noun. The related behavior is 'to run off at the mouth'.
'Motormouth' implies relentless, often rapid, machine-like talking. 'Chatterbox' is softer, implying constant but often lighter, chattier conversation.
It is typically written as one word: motormouth. Hyphenated form 'motor-mouth' is less common but acceptable.
A person who talks excessively, rapidly, and often without thinking.
Motormouth is usually informal, slightly derogatory, colloquial in register.
Motormouth: in British English it is pronounced /ˈməʊ.tə.maʊθ/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈmoʊ.t̬ɚ.maʊθ/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “run off at the mouth (synonymous behavior)”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
MOTOR (like an engine) + MOUTH. Imagine a mouth with an engine revving, unable to stop talking.
Conceptual Metaphor
THE MOUTH IS A MACHINE / TALKING IS A MECHANICAL PROCESS.
Practice
Quiz
In which context is 'motormouth' LEAST appropriate?