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 wide to take a bite of the sandwich. [mouth: noun]
Example
He has a foul mouth and often uses inappropriate language. [mouth: noun]
Example
The river flows into the mouth of the bay. [mouth: noun]
maw
Example
The lion's maw was stained with blood after its meal. [maw: noun]
Example
The dark maw of the cave seemed to swallow them whole. [maw: noun]
Example
The corporation's greed was like a maw, consuming everything in its path. [maw: noun]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Mouth is much more commonly used than maw in everyday language. Mouth is a neutral or positive word that can be used in various contexts, while maw is more specialized and often used in literature or poetry.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between mouth and maw?
Mouth is more formal than maw, which is more likely to be used in literary or poetic contexts.
