Quick answer
Gob means mouth; also a lump or a spit in some uses. It is usually pronounced GOB, and today it is still readable to modern audiences, even if it sounds more deliberate than everyday speech.
Word page
Gob
Gob means mouth; also a lump or a spit in some uses. It belongs to food and bodily oddities and works best in comic description, bodily discomfort, and odd old domestic vocabulary. It still feels usable today, especially when you want a word with more character than the plainest alternative.
At a glance
foodbodilygross
How to say it
Meaning in plain English
In plain English, gob refers to mouth; also a lump or a spit in some uses. It is most useful when a plain label would tell the truth but miss the tone, flavor, or comic edge.
Why this word feels absurd
Gob feels absurd because it has more texture than the plain alternative, giving the idea an extra bit of theatrical, comic, or overbuilt energy.
Origin and history
Gob is generally traced to old slang with multiple British and Irish developments. In modern use, the history matters less than the strong tone the word still carries.
Is this word still used today?
Gob is still usable today, especially when you want language that feels more distinctive than the plainest modern alternative.
Example sentences
- The column dismissed the whole rumor as gob.
- In the novel, one gob is enough to derail the dinner party.
- She used gob in the essay because the plain modern word felt too bland.
- The teacher paused to explain gob before asking the class to use it in context.
- They kept repeating gob because the sound of it was almost as memorable as the meaning.
When should you use this word?
Use gob when you want a more vivid, characterful choice than the plain everyday alternative. It works especially well in comic description, bodily discomfort, and odd old domestic vocabulary.
Similar words
aspic, belch, blancmange, blubber, bubble-and-squeak
Opposite or contrasting words
comfort, steadiness, bodily ease
Common questions
- What does gob mean? Mouth; also a lump or a spit in some uses.
- How do you pronounce gob? It is commonly pronounced GOB.
- Is gob still used today? Gob is still usable today, especially when you want language that feels more distinctive than the plainest modern alternative.
- When should you use gob? Use gob when you want a more vivid, characterful choice than the plain everyday alternative. It works especially well in comic description, bodily discomfort, and odd old domestic vocabulary.
- What words are similar to gob? Similar words include aspic, belch, blancmange, and blubber.
Editorial note
Edited by Absurd Words. Last updated: May 9, 2026. See the editorial policy for how definitions, examples, labels, and update checks are handled on the site.