open-mouthed

open-mouthed — adjective

1. showing such strong surprise or shock that your mouth stays open

1.形容詞C1
釋義

showing such strong surprise or shock that your mouth stays open

例句

The children stood open-mouthed as the circus elephant painted a flower.

stand open-mouthed after a surprising sight

Open-mouthed tourists watched snow fall on the beach in May.

adjective before a plural noun

同義詞
  • astonished

    names the feeling of surprise more than the face you make

  • agape

    is more literary and directly stresses the mouth hanging open

  • speechless

    focuses on being unable to speak, not necessarily on the mouth

  • wide-eyed

    shifts attention to the eyes and can sound less shocked

反義詞
  • composed

    suggests calm control instead of a startled expression

  • unmoved

    suggests little or no visible reaction

  • calm

    is broader and does not suggest surprise at all

文法句型

stand open-mouthed

sit open-mouthed

an open-mouthed stare

用法筆記

Usually describes a short-lived facial expression in a sudden moment. It is common after verbs such as stand, sit, stare, or turn, and it focuses on the visible look rather than the feeling alone.

常見錯誤

❌The students were open-mouthed of the trick.
✅The students were open-mouthed at the trick.
💡use 'at' for the thing that causes the reaction.
❌Mina is open-mouthed and easy to talk to.
✅Mina is approachable and easy to talk to.
💡open-mouthed describes a shocked expression, not a friendly character.