Jowl is a noun with two related but different meanings. It can mean the lowersituated beneath something else; closer to the ground or bottom jaw, or it can refer to the loosenot firmly held or stretched tight fleshsoft tissue of the body, especially meat or skin-covered parts hanging below the jaw or lower cheeks, especially with age.
Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: accurate. Checked: 2026-10-22. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.
Pronunciation
AI-generated pronunciation audio (OpenAI).
Accent: General American English
IPA: /dʒaʊl/
Easy pronunciation: JOWL (approximate spelling).
Stress: One syllable; stress is on the only syllable.
Pronounced for the noun meaning the lower jaw, not the loose flesh of the cheek and jaw.
Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: uncertain — manual review needed. Checked: 2026-10-22. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.
Jowl Meaning
the lower jaw
Part of speech: noun
Definition: the jaw in vertebrates that is hinged to open the mouth
Example: The dog hurt its jowl while chewing a bone.
Synonyms for this meaning:
- jawbone — A direct substitute for the bony jaw in this sense.
- lower jaw — A clear everyday equivalent.
- lower jawbone — Matches the anatomical meaning closely.
- mandible — Standard anatomical term for the lower jaw.
- mandibula — A technical Latin-based anatomical term, less common in everyday use.
- mandibular bone — Technical term referring to the lower jaw bone.
- submaxilla — An older technical anatomical term for the lower jaw.
Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: uncertain — manual review needed. Checked: 2026-10-22. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.
Other Meanings of Jowl
Meaning 2
loose flesh under the jaw
Part of speech: noun
Definition: a fullness and looseness of the flesh of the lower cheek and jaw, especially in older people
Example: He developed jowls as he got older.
Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: accurate. Checked: 2026-10-22. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.
Jowl Synonyms
Similar Meaning
- jawbone
- lower jaw
- lower jawbone
- mandible
Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: accurate. Checked: 2026-10-22. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.
Common Mistakes
- Using jowl to mean any jaw in general; it usually refers specifically to the lower jaw or to loose flesh below the jaw.
- Confusing the anatomical sense with the aging-related sense of loose skin or flesh under the face.
Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: accurate. Checked: 2026-10-22. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does jowl mean?
Jowl can mean the lower jaw, especially in anatomy, or the loose flesh hanging below the jaw and lower cheeks, often seen with age.
What are the synonyms of jowl?
For the anatomical sense, synonyms include jawbone, lower jaw, lower jawbone, and mandible. The aging-related sense does not have a strong direct synonym in the supplied data.
Is jowl the same as jaw?
Not exactly. Jowl can refer to the lower jaw, but it can also mean the loose flesh below the jaw and cheeks.
Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: accurate. Checked: 2026-10-22. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.
