Maw Meaning in English

word

US

UK

Definition

Maw refers to the jaws, throat, or stomach of an animal, especially a large open mouth. It can also be used metaphorically for something that seems like a huge, threatening opening.

Usage & Nuances

'Maw' is mostly literary or used in poetic/figurative speech. It's rarely used in daily conversation. Typical collocations: 'the maw of a beast', 'the maw of darkness', or 'the greedy maw'. Often implies danger or something threatening.

• Spanish: fauces - boca (gran abertura)
• Portuguese (BR): goela - boca (grande abertura)
• Portuguese (PT): goela - boca (grande abertura)
• Chinese (Simplified): 大口 - 咽喉
• Chinese (Traditional): 大口 - 咽喉
• Hindi: मुख (विशाल मुँह) - भयानक मुख
• Arabic: فم ضخم - بلعوم
• Bengali: মুখ - গহ্বর
• Russian: пасть - зев
• Japanese: 大口 - 咽喉（えんこう） - 胃
• Vietnamese: hàm - họng - dạ dày
• Korean: 아가리 - 큰 입
• Turkish: ağız (geniş açıklık) - boğaz
• Urdu: منہ - حلق
• Indonesian: rahang - mulut besar

Example Sentences

The shark opened its maw wide.

basic

The dragon’s fiery breath came from its maw.

basic

The food fell into the animal’s hungry maw.

basic

We stared into the maw of the dark cave, feeling nervous.

natural

He tossed the paperwork into the maw of the shredder.

natural

Standing at the city dump, it felt like I was staring into the maw of chaos.

natural