gape

American  

[geyp, gap] / geɪp, gæp /

verb (used without object)

gaped, gaping

1. to stare with open mouth, as in wonder.

2. to open the mouth wide involuntarily, as the result of hunger, sleepiness, or absorbed attention.

   Synonyms:

   yawn

3. to open as a gap; split or become open wide.

   Synonyms:

   yawn

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noun

1. a wide opening; gap; breach.

2. an act or instance of gaping.

3. a stare, as in astonishment or with the mouth wide open.

4. a yawn.

5. Zoology. the width of the open mouth.

gape British  

/ ɡeɪp /

verb

1. to stare in wonder or amazement, esp with the mouth open

2. to open the mouth wide, esp involuntarily, as in yawning or hunger

3. to be or become wide open

   the crater gaped under his feet

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noun

1. the act of gaping

2. a wide opening; breach

3. the width of the widely opened mouth of a vertebrate

4. a stare or expression of astonishment

Related Words

See gaze.

Other Word Forms

• gapingly
  adverb
• subgape
  verb (used without object)
• ungaping
  adjective

Etymology

Origin of gape

1175–1225; Middle English, from Old Norse gapa “to open the mouth wide”; compare German gaffen

Explanation

If Bigfoot walked down your street wearing a tutu, you might gape or stare at the man-ape with your mouth open. You'd really gape if the tutu had a gaping, or wide open, hole. Gape is closely related to the word, gap, which means a space between things. When you gape at something, there is a lot of space between your teeth because your mouth is open in disbelief. You'll often hear mothers telling children not to gape. The fact is it's rude to stare at someone that way, even if they are a Sasquatch on the way to dance class.

Example Sentences

Adebayo Akinfenwa replaces Dominic Gape because of an injury.

From BBC • May 21, 2022

“Jurassic Park” Gape in awe as dinosaurs run amok on a billionaire’s private island in Steven Spielberg’s effects-laden 1993 adventure.

From Los Angeles Times • Oct. 8, 2021

Josh Scowen replaces Dominic Gape because of an injury.

From BBC • Sep. 21, 2021

Gape at the immensity of Clifford Ross’ “Sopris Wall I,” a massive, hyper-detailed negative print of a photo of Colorado’s Mount Sopris that stands 24 feet high and 114 feet long.

From Washington Times • Sep. 16, 2015

Gape, openmouthed, like the rockfish and halibut you stare at all day.

From "Legendary Frybread Drive-In" by Cynthia Leitich Smith

Related Words

• glare
• gloat
• stare