One syllable: Jowl.
jowl
/dʒaʊl/
Jowl is pronounced jowl (/dʒaʊl/). It has one syllable (Jowl), with the stress on "Jowl". Jowl is a noun referring to the lower jaw or the fleshy part of the jaw area beneath the chin. It can also describe the lower part of a face that contains the jawbone, often used in phrases like “jowls” to denote sagging skin. The term is common in anatomy, veterinary contexts, and descriptive facial features. In everyday speech, it appears mainly in anatomical discussions or colloquial descriptions of aging features.
nounJowl is a noun referring to the lower jaw or the fleshy part of the jaw area beneath the chin. It can also describe the lower part of a face that contains the jawbone, often used in phrases like “jowls” to denote sagging skin. The term is common in anatomy, veterinary contexts, and descriptive facial features. In everyday speech, it appears mainly in anatomical discussions or colloquial descriptions of aging features.
"Her jowls became more pronounced with age."
"The dog’s jowls swayed as he barked."
"She pinched the loose skin at the jowl area."
Pronounce it as /dʒaʊl/. It’s a single-syllable word with a clear initial /dʒ/ (as in
Common errors include saying it as /dʒɔl/ with a monophthong or turning it into /dʒaʊ/ (losing the final /l/). Some speakers over-articulate the /w/ or blend into /jawl/ with exaggerated rounding. To correct: keep the diphthong /aʊ/ intact, end with a light alveolar /l/, and avoid substituting /ɔ/ or /oʊ/ in the vowel. Practice by slow articulation: /dʒ/ + /aʊ/ + /l/.
US/UK/AU share /dʒaʊl/ as the base. In non-rhotic accents you’ll still hear /dʒaʊl/ because /r/ is not involved; the rhoticity question is more about surrounding vowels. Australians may exhibit slightly compacted /aʊ/ diphthong with a more centralized nucleus; UK speakers might have a brighter /aʊ/ with less tongue height variation. Overall, the consonant /dʒ/ and final /l/ remain stable, with minor vowel quality differences.
The difficulty lies in the short, crisp /dʒ/ onset and maintaining the /aʊ/ diphthong without reducing it to a simpler vowel, plus a clean /l/ at the end. Beginners often misplace tongue position, blending the /dʒ/ with /j/ or substituting /w/ for the glide. Practicing with minimal pairs and slow tempo helps; focus on starting with the alveopalatal closure for /dʒ/ and keeping the tongue forward for the /aʊ/ glide before the light /l/.
No silent letters here. The word is pronounced as a clean, single-syllable /dʒaʊl/. The key is not to elide the /aʊ/ or the /l/; both components should be heard distinctly, with the diphthong smoothly transitioning into the final light /l/. Ensure you do not merge the sounds into /dʒol/ or /dʒaul/ with an overly rounded vowel.
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Jowl entered English in the 13th–14th century from Old Norse or Old English roots relating to the jaw area, with cognates in several Germanic languages. Its earliest senses centered on the jaw or jawbone, evolving to denote the fleshier lower-cheek region as anatomy and art developed more precise terminology. The word’s semantic shift aligns with medieval descriptions of facial anatomy and later aging. Over time, “jowl” also gained figurative usage in phrases describing facial fullness or sagging skin. While “jaw” and “mandible” remain formal, “jowl” carries a slightly informal, tactile nuance, often used in portraits, medical descriptions, and colloquial aging narratives. First known usage appears in Middle English texts, with attestations in anatomical and descriptive contexts by the 14th century, solidifying its place in modern English with senses tied to both bone and soft tissue in the lower face.
💡 Etymology tip: Understanding word origins can help you remember pronunciation patterns and recognize related words in the same language family.
Help others use "Jowl" correctly by contributing grammar tips, common mistakes, and context guidance.
💡 These words have similar meanings to "Jowl" and can often be used interchangeably.
🔄 These words have opposite meanings to "Jowl" and show contrast in usage.
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Words that rhyme with "Jowl"
-owl sounds
-wel sounds
Practice with these rhyming pairs to improve your pronunciation consistency:
🎵 Rhyme tip: Practicing with rhyming words helps you master similar sound patterns and improves your overall pronunciation accuracy.
