mouthing: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
Low to MediumNeutral to Formal; specialized in certain contexts (e.g., performing arts, linguistics).
Quick answer
What does “mouthing” mean?
The act of moving the lips as if speaking, often without making sound.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
The act of moving the lips as if speaking, often without making sound; forming words silently.
Can refer to insincere or empty verbal expression, where words are spoken without genuine feeling or intent; also used in specialized contexts like puppetry or ventriloquism for lip synchronization.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in meaning. Both use it in similar contexts. The verb form 'to mouth' might be more frequently used in AmE in sports contexts (e.g., 'mouthing off' at a referee).
Connotations
Slightly more common in theatrical/drama contexts in UK English. The negative sense ('empty mouthing of platitudes') is equally strong in both.
Frequency
Slightly higher frequency in UK English, particularly in journalistic/critical writing to describe insincere political speech.
Grammar
How to Use “mouthing” in a Sentence
[subject] + be + [adverb] + mouthing + [object (words/platitudes)][subject] + be accused of + mouthing + [object]Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “mouthing” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- He was mouthing the words to the national anthem.
- The politician was accused of merely mouthing empty promises.
American English
- She kept mouthing 'I'm sorry' from across the courtroom.
- Stop mouthing off to the coach and just play the game.
adverb
British English
- He spoke mouthingly, with exaggerated lip movements for the deaf student.
- (Rare usage)
American English
- She repeated the phrase mouthingly, ensuring her lips were visible on camera.
- (Rare usage)
adjective
British English
- The mime artist gave a perfect mouthing performance.
- We observed the mouthing movements of the fish.
American English
- The software analyzes mouthing patterns for the hearing-impaired.
- Her mouthing gesture was clear enough to understand.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rare. Possibly in critiques of corporate-speak: 'The CEO's apology was just empty mouthing.'
Academic
Used in linguistics (phonetics), performance studies, and political science to describe superficial or ritualized speech acts.
Everyday
Used to describe someone speaking silently or insincerely: 'I saw him mouthing the lyrics from across the room.'
Technical
In puppetry, animation, and film dubbing: 'The animator worked on the precise mouthing of the character.'
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “mouthing”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “mouthing”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “mouthing”
- Using 'mouthing' to mean 'speaking loudly' (the opposite of its meaning).
- Confusing 'mouthing' (noun/gerund) with 'muttering' (which involves sound).
- Misspelling as 'mouthing'.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No. Whispering involves audible breathy sound. Mouthing is completely silent, involving only the movement of lips, tongue, and jaw.
Yes, in neutral/technical contexts like performing arts, language teaching for the hearing-impaired, or linguistics, it is a descriptive term without negative judgment.
They are closely related. 'Lip-syncing' specifically means moving your lips in synchronization with a pre-recorded audio track. 'Mouthing' is the broader act of forming words silently, which may or may not be synced to sound.
It is not a high-frequency everyday word. It is more common in written English (e.g., journalism, criticism) and specific fields like drama or phonetics than in casual conversation.
The act of moving the lips as if speaking, often without making sound.
Mouthing is usually neutral to formal; specialized in certain contexts (e.g., performing arts, linguistics). in register.
Mouthing: in British English it is pronounced /ˈmaʊðɪŋ/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈmaʊðɪŋ/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “Mouthing off (verb phrase - speaking insolently)”
- “Paying lip service (related concept of insincere agreement)”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a MOUTH forming words IN silence. 'Mouthing' = MOUTH + ING (the action of using the mouth silently).
Conceptual Metaphor
SPEECH IS A PHYSICAL OBJECT (that can be shaped by the mouth but not released). INSINCERE SPEECH IS EMPTY CONTAINER (mouthing produces no substance).
Practice
Quiz
In which context is 'mouthing' most likely to have a NEGATIVE connotation?