What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
mouth
Example
She opened her mouth to speak but no words came out. [mouth: noun]
Example
He mouthed the words 'I love you' to his partner across the room. [mouthed: verb]
Example
The mouth of the cave was dark and foreboding. [mouth: noun]
jaws
Example
The lion's jaws clamped down on its prey, killing it instantly. [jaws: noun]
Example
The shark's powerful jaws were on full display as it attacked its prey. [jaws: noun]
Example
He narrowly escaped the jaws of death after his car skidded off the road. [jaws: metaphorical usage]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Mouth is more commonly used than jaws in everyday language. Mouth is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while jaws is more specific and often used in limited contexts.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between mouth and jaws?
Both mouth and jaws are neutral in formality and can be used in both formal and informal contexts.