# maw

/ˈmɔ/ (US) · /mˈɔː/ (UK) · CEFR C2 · Noun

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/maw
Updated: 2026-05-18

## Definition

a very large or wide mouth. It is a strong word that people use to describe something that is very big or scary.

For teachers: a large, gaping mouth. Often used metaphorically to describe a vast, insatiable appetite or a wide, threatening opening.

## Examples

- The beast opened its maw to reveal sharp teeth.
- The storm clouds opened their maw, releasing a torrent of rain that flooded the valley.
- The industrial complex seemed to have an insatiable maw, consuming raw materials at a rate that outpaced the local economy's ability to produce them.

---

From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.