How to pronounce "maws" in English
maws
Hear native speakers say maws in context across real video clips
Linguistic Pronunciation Masterclass: “maws”
Phonetic mechanics, syllable architecture, and conversational cadence
Syllable Architecture & Stress Distribution
maws
Reduced vowel sound, relaxed jaw, and minimal vocal effort.
As a single-syllable word, "maws" receives full primary stress when spoken in isolation, though it may take a reduced weak form in connected speech when acting as a function word.
Common Pronunciation Traps & Learner Mistakes
The Trap: Single-syllable words like "maws" carry primary acoustic prominence in isolation, but can be swallowed in rapid connected speech.
How Native Speakers Say It: Sustain vowel clarity without rushing into the trailing consonant. Elevate pitch slightly when "maws" carries the primary contrast or new information in a sentence.
Connected Speech & Natural Conversational Flow
When "maws" is followed by a word starting with a vowel, glide the final consonant into the opening vowel (e.g. "maws is" sounds like "maws-iz").
In natural sentences, avoid over-stressing "maws" unless it conveys the core contrast or focal point of your message.
Authentic Spoken Quotes from Native Video Context
“The gaping maws of dragonfish are well equipped for snacking on other fish, and the stoplight loosejaw is no exception.”— SciShowWatch clip
“OK, so also a special thanks tonight to Craigie on Main and Tony Maws for entertaining some of the group”— Harvard UniversityWatch clip
“Then they swim through the bubble net, maws agape.”— Smithsonian ChannelWatch clip
“they can dramatically stretch their maws.”— TED-EdWatch clip
“And this is Craigie On Main, Tony Maws's restaurant.”— Native SpeakerWatch clip
“He's come out for one of these dinners, Tony Maws at Craigie on Main, Clio.”— Harvard UniversityWatch clip
Practice Speaking “maws”
Listen to native pronunciation, record yourself repeating the sentence into your microphone, and receive real-time word-by-word accuracy scoring.
The gaping maws of dragonfish are well equipped for snacking on other fish, and the stoplight loosejaw is no exception.
Hear it in context: “maws”
9 clipsThe English word “maws”. Phonologically, it consists of 1 syllable (maws), pronounced as a single stressed monosyllable. Grammatically, “maws” functions as a noun. SayItVid indexes 9 authentic English video clips demonstrating how native speakers articulate “maws” in natural connected speech across American (US: 8 sampled), British (UK), and Australian (AUS) accents, including verified broadcasts from SciShow, Harvard University, Smithsonian Channel.
Spoken Video Transcripts & Contextual Quotes (5 Verified Clips)
- 🇺🇸 USSciShowClip #1 · @5:43
“It gets it from its meals. The gaping maws of dragonfish are well equipped for snacking on other fish, and the stoplight loosejaw is no exception. and the stoplight loosejaw is no exception.”
- 🇺🇸 USHarvard UniversityClip #2 · @1:14
“and the Catalunya Banc. OK, so also a special thanks tonight to Craigie on Main and Tony Maws for entertaining some of the group on Main and Tony Maws for entertaining some of the group”
- 🇺🇸 USSmithsonian ChannelClip #3 · @5:40
“Others encircle the swarm in a ring of bubbles. Then they swim through the bubble net, maws agape. Grooves in the mouth filter out water,”
- 🇺🇸 USTED-EdClip #4 · @1:33
“and the bones on the sides of their lower jaws flare apart, they can dramatically stretch their maws. Reticulated pythons can even achieve 180-degree gapes.”
- 🇺🇸 USClip #5 · @14:53
“That's chef Anita Lo. And this is Craigie On Main, Tony Maws's restaurant. One of his criteria for hiring his chefs is they have to cook”
Definition & Meaning: “maws”
- Initialism of missile approach warning system
Example Sentences (2)
- “The gaping maws of dragonfish are well equipped for snacking on other fish, and the stoplight loosejaw is no exception.”
- “OK, so also a special thanks tonight to Craigie on Main and Tony Maws for entertaining some of the group”
Common Phrases & Collocations
Pronounce: “maws”
- Syllables:
- maws
- Hear it in context
- maws
Words that Sound Identical (Homophones)
Unique Sound"maws" has no true homophones in standard English — there are no other words with identical pronunciation. Unlike sound-alike pairs like there / their or peace / piece, "maws" has a completely distinct phonetic identity.
Frequently asked questions about maws
What does “maws” mean?
Initialism of missile approach warning system
How can I hear “maws” used in real sentences?
This page has 9 real-world video examples of “maws” with synchronized subtitles. Use Previous / Next (or ← / → keys) to hear each one at the exact moment it is spoken.
What is the most common pronunciation mistake when saying “maws”?
Single-syllable words like "maws" carry primary acoustic prominence in isolation, but can be swallowed in rapid connected speech. Sustain vowel clarity without rushing into the trailing consonant. Elevate pitch slightly when "maws" carries the primary contrast or new information in a sentence.