mouthy

A child is being mouthy to his mother in the grocery store.

Definition

1. Adjective:
   • Tending to talk excessively or loudly: "mouthy" describes a person who is inclined to speak in a bold, impudent, or overly talkative manner, often in a way that is disrespectful or confrontational.
   • Given to boasting or exaggeration: In some contexts, "mouthy" can mean someone who speaks with excessive pride or exaggeration, similar to being boastful.

Usage Examples

• (A child who speaks impudently or disrespectfully.)
• (A person who speaks boastfully or with exaggeration.)

Advanced Usage

• "to be mouthy with someone": to speak to someone in a rude or impertinent way.

  • She got in trouble for being mouthy with her boss. (She spoke disrespectfully to her superior.)

• "mouthy behavior": conduct characterized by loud, boastful, or insolent speech.

  • The coach criticized the player for his mouthy behavior on the field. (The player's speech was seen as arrogant or rude.)

Variants and Related Words

• Mouth (n): the opening through which food is taken in and speech is produced.

  • He opened his mouth to speak. (The physical organ used for speaking.)

• Mouthful (n): a quantity of food or drink that fills the mouth; also, a long or complicated word or phrase.

  • She took a mouthful of water. (A small amount of liquid.)
  • His name is a real mouthful. (A difficult or lengthy name to pronounce.)

Synonyms

• Talkative: inclined to talk a lot.
• Loud-mouthed: given to speaking loudly or offensively.
• Impudent: showing a lack of respect; cheeky.
• Brash: self-assertive in a rude or noisy way.

Related Idioms

• Big mouth: a person who talks too much or reveals secrets.

  • Don't tell him the plan — he has a big mouth. (He cannot keep information secret.)

• Shoot one's mouth off: to talk boastfully or carelessly.

  • He's always shooting his mouth off about his achievements. (He boasts excessively about himself.)