slack-jawed

USAGE SUMMARY

"slack-jawed" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it to describe someone who is astonished, stunned, or in a state of disbelief. An example: "He stood there, slack-jawed, as the magician performed the impossible trick." Alternative expressions include "dumbfounded" and "gaping."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

DEFINING QUALITY Slack-jawed oddness.

The New York Times - Arts

James sits there slack-jawed.

The Guardian

The room roared, slack-jawed.

The Guardian - Film

I wasn't eavesdropping, honest, just slack-jawed.

The New York Times

Jason was looking at her slack-jawed.

The New Yorker

He gazed into his client's slack-jawed face.

The New Yorker

Trump never fails to provide hours of slack-jawed amazement".

The New Yorker

Mr. Spitzer's statement Monday momentarily left state legislators slack-jawed.

The New York Times

It is a wondrous truth, in a slack-jawed way.

The Guardian - Books

He was just looking at the screen, slack-jawed.

The Guardian - Film

The paratroopers stared at the weapon, slack-jawed.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "slack-jawed" to vividly describe a person's reaction to something surprising, shocking, or bewildering. It's particularly effective when emphasizing a combination of astonishment and a lack of immediate comprehension.

Common error

While "slack-jawed" is acceptable in many contexts, be mindful of its slightly informal tone. In highly formal or professional writing, consider using alternatives like "astonished" or "dumbfounded" for a more polished effect.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "slack-jawed" functions primarily as an adjective, modifying a noun to describe a state of astonishment, bewilderment, or sometimes, perceived stupidity. As Ludwig AI confirms, this usage is grammatically sound and prevalent.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "slack-jawed" is a grammatically correct and very common adjective phrase used to describe someone's expression when they are surprised, astonished, or bewildered. Ludwig AI confirms that it follows standard grammatical rules. It's most frequently found in News & Media contexts. While its tone is generally neutral, one should be aware of its potential to imply a slightly negative connotation, particularly when suggesting a lack of intelligence. Related phrases include "dumbfounded" and "open-mouthed in astonishment". When writing, use "slack-jawed" to add vividness to descriptions, but avoid overuse in formal settings to maintain a polished tone.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

open-mouthed in astonishment

Replaces the descriptive "slack-jawed" with a more explicit description of the physical reaction.

dumbfounded

Focuses on the inability to speak due to surprise, a key aspect of being "slack-jawed".

gaping in disbelief

Highlights the open mouth and the feeling of disbelief, similar to the original phrase.

stunned into silence

Emphasizes the shock and resulting quietness, rather than the physical appearance.

aghast

Conveys a sense of horror or shock, which can be associated with a slack-jawed expression.

speechless with amazement

Highlights the inability to speak due to overwhelming amazement.

incredulous

Focuses on the lack of belief, often reflected in a surprised facial expression.

flabbergasted

Implies being utterly astonished or surprised, a state often accompanied by a dropped jaw.

with one's mouth agape

Describes the open-mouthed aspect directly, similar to "slack-jawed".

taken aback

Emphasizes the surprise and being caught off guard, which can lead to a slack-jawed reaction.

FAQs

How can I use "slack-jawed" in a sentence?

You can use "slack-jawed" to describe someone's expression when they are surprised or bewildered. For instance, "He stood there, "slack-jawed", as the magician performed the impossible trick."

What does "slack-jawed" mean?

The term "slack-jawed" describes someone with their mouth open and jaw hanging loosely, often indicating astonishment, bewilderment, or a lack of intelligence. It's a vivid way to portray a stunned or foolish expression.

What can I say instead of "slack-jawed"?

You can use alternatives like "dumbfounded", "open-mouthed in astonishment", or "stunned" depending on the context.

Is it appropriate to describe someone as "slack-jawed"?

While "slack-jawed" can be descriptive, it can also be seen as mildly offensive, especially if used to imply a lack of intelligence. Consider the context and your audience before using it, and opt for more neutral terms like "astonished" or "surprised" if necessary.