jowl

1 of 3

noun (1)

: usually slack flesh (such as a dewlap, wattle, or the pendulous part of a double chin) associated with the cheeks, lower jaw, or throat

jowl

2 of 3

noun (2)

1
b
: the cheek meat of a hog
2
a
: jaw
especially : mandible
b
: one of the lateral halves of the mandible

jowl

3 of 3

noun (3)

: a cut of fish consisting of the head and usually adjacent parts

Examples of jowl in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Noun
But in cities in particular, even the swishest townhouses are stacked cheek to jowl with their neighbors. Emma Reynolds, Robb Report, 2 Feb. 2024 Makeup pro Mike Marino’s mostly convincing prosthetics replicate many of Pearson’s signature features — the asymmetrical brow, swollen lips and loose jowls — which inevitably invites the question why Schimberg didn’t simply ask Pearson to play Edward. Peter Debruge, Variety, 22 Jan. 2024 The British chef, 57, hosted his Gordon Ramsay Pub and Grill restaurant opening at The Londoner Macao on the south coast of China on Wednesday — only to come face to jowl with an unruly bulldog called Tomato on the red carpet. Gabrielle Rockson, Peoplemag, 11 Jan. 2024 The Brisbane siblings' menu included lamb brains for entree, pork jowl for main, and a chocolate raspberry 'discovery' for dessert. Keryn Donnelly, refinery29.com, 28 Aug. 2023 Beef and pork feature heavily, in dishes like Pork BBQ (pork jowl, soy sauce, banana ketchup) and Satti (angus beef short rib, anatto, curry sauce). Tori Latham, Robb Report, 6 Dec. 2023 Even without surgery, smiling can lift the cheeks and minimize jowls, notes Dr. Chance, so people should wear neutral expressions in B&As. Jolene Edgar, Allure, 1 Dec. 2023 The lions, which have friendly jowls and lolling tongues, appear to be almost smiling. Daniel Brook, The New Yorker, 7 Sep. 2023 The now viral filter adds wrinkles and even jowls to create an older version of the user’s face. Chloe Berger, Fortune Well, 15 July 2023

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'jowl.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Noun (1)

alteration of Middle English cholle, probably from Old English ceole throat — more at glutton

Noun (2)

alteration of Middle English chavel, from Old English ceafl; akin to Middle High German kivel jaw, Avestan zafar- mouth

Noun (3)

alteration of Middle English choll

First Known Use

Noun (1)

1591, in the meaning defined above

Noun (2)

1598, in the meaning defined at sense 2a

Noun (3)

15th century, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of jowl was in the 15th century

Dictionary Entries Near jowl

Cite this Entry

“Jowl.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/jowl. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

jowl

1 of 2 noun
1
: jaw entry 1 sense 1
especially : the lower jaw
2

jowl

2 of 2 noun
: loose flesh associated with the cheeks, lower jaw, or throat
jowly
ˈjau̇-lē
adjective

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