French word

mâchoire

Pronunciation

IPA/maʃwaʁ/

Meaning

  • feminine nounjaw

Example

Elle a mal à la mâchoire quand elle mange.

Her jaw hurts when she eats.

Illustration for mâchoire (jaw)

More examples

Après l'accident, sa mâchoire était bloquée.

After the accident, their jaw was locked.

Core concept

The bony and muscular frame around the mouth that holds the teeth and moves for chewing and speech.

Common phrases

  • avoir mal à la mâchoire

    have pain in the jaw

  • bloquer la mâchoire

    make the jaw lock up

Similar words

bouche: The opening in the face used for eating and speaking.
dent: A hard structure in the mouth used to bite and cut food.
menton: The protruding lower part of the face.

Definition in French

Partie du visage composée des os et des tissus autour de la bouche qui soutient les dents et permet de mâcher et de parler.

Word origin

Mâchoire comes through Old French machoire from Late Latin maxillaria, the feminine form of maxillaris, related to maxilla, meaning jawbone.

Usage tips

  • Mâchoire is feminine, so the usual phrase is avoir mal à la mâchoire, with à la before this noun.

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