mouth
gb/mˈaʊθ/ us/mˈaʊθ/
A1
English
~ 1100
száj, torkolat, szóvivő, szócső, tátog
NOUN
A1
1
száj
A1
Usage pattern:
[someone]'s mouth
She covered her mouth when she coughed.
Eltakarta a száját, amikor köhögött.
His mouth was full, so he couldn't speak.
Tele volt a szája, ezért nem tudott beszélni.
The dentist asked me to open my mouth wide.
A smile spread across her mouth.
He wiped his mouth with a napkin.
Learner examples
I brush my teeth in my mouth.
A számban mosom a fogaimat.
She opens her mouth to eat.
Kinyitja a száját, hogy egyen.
Please close your mouth when you chew.
He has food in his mouth.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse 'mouth' with 'face' or 'lips'; remember the mouth includes the lips, teeth, and inside space.
Meaning
opening in the face
Collocations
open mouth
|close mouth
|cover mouth
|wide mouth
|mouth full
Synonyms
oral cavity (More technical or medical term for the mouth.)
Antonyms
— (No direct opposite for this anatomical meaning.)
Themes
body
|daily life
|communication
|core_vocabulary
Definition
The part of your face you use to eat, drink, and talk.
The part of the face that includes the lips, teeth, tongue, and opening through which food is taken in and speech is produced.
NOUN
B1
2
torkolat
B2
Usage pattern:
the mouth of [a river]
The city is located at the mouth of the Nile.
A város a Nílus torkolatánál fekszik.
Sediment collects at the river's mouth.
Hordalék gyűlik össze a folyó torkolatánál.
Fishermen gathered near the mouth of the harbor.
The river widens as it approaches its mouth.
Learner examples
We live at the mouth of the river.
A folyó torkolatánál élünk.
Fish swim near the mouth of the river.
Halak úszkálnak a folyó torkolata közelében.
The boat is near the river's mouth.
Common mistake:
Some learners confuse 'mouth' of a river with 'source' of a river; remember the 'mouth' is where it ends.
Meaning
end of a river
Collocations
river mouth
|at the mouth of the Amazon
|narrow mouth
Synonyms
river outlet (More technical term used in geography or hydrology.)
Antonyms
river source (The place where a river begins, the opposite end from the mouth.)
Themes
geography
|nature
|space
|travel
Definition
The place where a river meets the sea, ocean, or a lake.
The place where a river flows into a sea, ocean, or lake.
NOUN
B2
3
Usage pattern:
a mouth for [someone/something]
Critics say he's just a mouth for the company.
A kritikusok szerint ő csak a cég szócsöve.
She refused to be the government's mouth on this issue.
Nem volt hajlandó a kormány szócsöve lenni ebben az ügyben.
They accused him of being nothing more than a party mouthpiece.
Learner examples
He is a mouth for the boss.
Ő a főnök szócsöve.
She is only a mouth for the group.
Ő csak a csoport szócsöve.
They call him a mouth for the president.
Common mistake:
Learners may not realize this is figurative; it does not mean an actual physical mouth.
Meaning
person who speaks for others
Collocations
be a mouth for
|party mouthpiece
Synonyms
mouthpiece (Common synonym; 'mouth' used figuratively for someone speaking for others.)
Antonyms
independent voice (Someone speaking for themselves rather than representing others.)
Themes
communication
|business
|politics
Definition
A person who says what someone else tells them to say.
A person who speaks on behalf of another person or organization, often without adding their own opinion.
VERB
B2
4
tátog
B2
Usage pattern:
mouth [words] to [someone]
She mouthed 'thank you' across the room.
A terem túloldaláról eltátogta, hogy „köszönöm”.
He mouthed the lyrics during rehearsal.
A próbán csak tátogta a dalszöveget.
The teacher mouthed instructions to the assistant.
Learner examples
She mouthed 'hello' to me.
Eltátogta nekem: „szia”.
He mouthed the song on stage.
A színpadon csak tátogta a dalt.
I mouthed 'good luck' before she started.
Common mistake:
Some learners confuse 'mouth' as a verb with 'say'; 'mouth' means no sound is made.
Meaning
move lips silently
Collocations
mouth silently
|mouth the words
|mouth along
Synonyms
mime (In this context, refers to silently forming words, though 'mime' can also mean acting without speech more generally.)
Antonyms
speak aloud (Producing sound when talking instead of moving lips silently.)
Themes
communication
|core_vocabulary
Definition
To say words with your lips but without making a sound.
To form words with the lips without making audible sounds, often to communicate secretly or when sound is not possible.
Grammar
Dictionary form
mouth
IPA
GB/mˈaʊθ/
US/mˈaʊθ/
Syllables & stress
mouth (1 syllable)
Stress on 1st syllable (mouth)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: mouth
- Plural: mouth, mouths
Verb
- Base: mouth
- 3rd Person Singular: mouths
- Present Participle: mouthing
- Past: mouthed
Word family
Forms
mouths
noun
mouthing
verb
mouthed
verb
Related words
mouthful
noun
mouthwash
noun
mouthpiece
noun
Advanced or less common
mouthy
adjective
Expressions
by word of mouth
1/bˈaɪ wˈɚd əv mˈaʊθ/
fixed phrase
spoken communication only
When people tell each other about something by talking, not by writing or using media.
Examples
- Most of our customers hear about us by word of mouth.
- The news spread quickly by word of mouth.
keep your mouth shut
1/kˈip jˈʊɹ mˈaʊθ ʃˈʌt/
idiom
informal
stay silent about something
Do not talk about something; keep it secret.
Examples
- You’d better keep your mouth shut about this plan.
- He kept his mouth shut during the meeting.
live from hand to mouth
1/lˈɪv fɹˈʌm hˈænd tə mˈaʊθ/
idiom
barely survive financially
To earn and spend just enough money to live without saving any.
Examples
- They lived from hand to mouth after losing their jobs.
- Many artists live from hand to mouth early in their careers.
put words in someone's mouth
1/pˈʊt wˈɚdz ˈɪn sˈʌmwˌʌnz mˈaʊθ/
idiom
misrepresent what someone said
To say someone said something when they did not actually say it.
Examples
- Don't put words in my mouth—I never said that!
- She accused the reporter of putting words in her mouth.
foam at the mouth
1/fˈoʊm ˈæt ðə mˈaʊθ/
idiom
informal
show extreme anger or excitement
To be so angry or excited that it shows strongly on your face and actions.
Examples
- The fans were practically foaming at the mouth with excitement.
- He was foaming at the mouth when he heard about the decision.
foam at the mouth
2/fˈoʊm ˈæt ðə mˈaʊθ/
idiom
be extremely, visibly angry
To be extremely angry, in a way that is very clear from how you look, speak, or act. (Originally from the image of an animal with foam around its mouth.)
Examples
- He was foaming at the mouth when he found out they had lied to him.
- Commentators were foaming at the mouth over the referee’s decision.
- She practically foamed at the mouth when she saw the mess in the kitchen.