One syllable: Jaw.
jaw
/dʒɔ/
Jaw is pronounced jaw (/dʒɔ/). It has one syllable (Jaw), with the stress on "Jaw". Jaw (noun) refers to the bony structure forming the framework of the mouth and containing the teeth, or to the lower part of the face that can move up and down to chew. It also appears in figurative phrases like “jaw-dropping” to describe something astonishing. The term is used across medical, anatomical, and everyday contexts with clear directional meaning.
nounJaw (noun) refers to the bony structure forming the framework of the mouth and containing the teeth, or to the lower part of the face that can move up and down to chew. It also appears in figurative phrases like “jaw-dropping” to describe something astonishing. The term is used across medical, anatomical, and everyday contexts with clear directional meaning.
"The dentist showed me how to align my jaw to reduce bite pain."
"She clenched her jaw in frustration during the meeting."
"He watched the jaw of the alligator snap shut with a loud thud."
Jaw is pronounced with a single syllable: /dʒɔː/ in UK spelling, generally transcribed as /dʒɔː/ (US often /dʒɑː/ or /dʒɔː/ depending on speaker). Start with a palatal plosive /d͡ʒ/ like 'j' in 'judge', then glide into a long open-mid back rounded vowel /ɔː/ (UK) or /ɑː/ (US). Keep lips rounded slightly, jaw lowered, and the tongue relaxed behind the bottom teeth. End with a clean n/a sound; the vowel length carries the meaning. Audio reference: think of the sound in 'law' but with a 'j' onset; you’ll hear it as brisk and concise.
Common mistakes include: 1) Using a close front vowel like /i/ or /e/, producing ‘je’ sounds instead of ‘jaw’; correct with an open back vowel /ɔː/ or /ɑː/. 2) Missing the initial affricate release, producing a simple ‘j’ sound; ensure you start with /d͡ʒ/ and release into the vowel. 3) Gliding into a shorter, clipped vowel in rapid speech; lengthen the vowel slightly and maintain a steady airflow. Practice by pairing with ‘jawbone’ to keep the /d͡ʒ/ onset clear.
In US, many speakers pronounce it closer to /d͡ʒɑː/ with a more open /ɑ/; UK tends to /d͡ʒɔː/ with a slightly rounded, longer vowel; Australian often leans toward /d͡ʒɔː/ but with a flatter quality and less rhotics influence, vowel length may shorten in rapid speech. The initial /d͡ʒ/ is consistent, but vowel quality shifts (US to /ɑː/, UK/AU to /ɔː/). Rhoticity is less about this word, but surrounding syllables may influence perceived rhoticity in connected speech.
Jaw requires precise control of a short affricate /d͡ʒ/ combined with a back, open-mid vowel that varies by region. The tongue must lift slightly to create the /d͡ʒ/ release, then drop into a rounded back vowel; any mis-timing or mouth position shift (e.g., front vowels or untied jaw) makes it sound like ‘jew’ or ‘jawh’. Clear articulation depends on storing the tongue’s posterior posture and maintaining the electrical balance of airflow for the long vowel. IPA cues help anchor the mouth positions.
Does your jaw position change when you speed up the word? Yes. In fast speech, the /d͡ʒ/ onset can become less explosive and more of a light tap, and the vowel can reduce slightly in length, though not to a schwa. Practicing with tempo helps you preserve the initial crisp release while maintaining the back-vowel quality. This is especially true for non-native speakers whose jaw relaxation can alter the perceived vowel quality.
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The word jaw comes from Middle English jaw, jaw(e) (1200s), related to Old Norse gjaugr meaning ‘jaw, jawbone’ and Old High German giawar, Gothic jaura meaning ‘jaw’. It is cognate with Dutch kaak and German Kiefer, reflecting the common Germanic root for the jawbone. Historically, jaw referred to the bony structure of the lower face; later it broadened to include any projecting edge or projection. In anatomical usage, jawbone distinguishes the mandible from the maxilla. In metaphorical use (jaw as face region or “open your jaw” command), the sense expands to mouth-related actions. The earliest written records in English trace to the 13th century, evolving alongside medical and anatomical texts as scientific understanding of the skull advanced, with the modern sense of lower jawbone being standard today.
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💡 These words have similar meanings to "Jaw" and can often be used interchangeably.
🔄 These words have opposite meanings to "Jaw" and show contrast in usage.
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Words that rhyme with "Jaw"
-law sounds
Practice with these rhyming pairs to improve your pronunciation consistency:
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