gape

[ geyp, gap ]

/ geɪp, gæp /

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR gape ON THESAURUS.COM

verb (used without object), gaped, gap·ing.

to stare with open mouth, as in wonder.

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

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

noun

a wide opening; gap; breach.

an act or instance of gaping.

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

a yawn.

Zoology. the width of the open mouth.

Nearby words

gap 2, gap junction, gap phenomenon, gap year, gap-toothed, gape, gaper, gapes, gapeseed, gapeworm, gaping

Origin of gape

1175–1225; Middle English < Old Norse gapa to open the mouth wide; compare German gaffen

SYNONYMS FOR gape

1 See gaze.

2, 3 yawn.

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR gape ON THESAURUS.COM

Related forms

gap·ing·ly, adverbsub·gape, verb (used without object), sub·gaped, sub·gap·ing.un·gap·ing, adjective

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for gape

We want to relate to their humanity rather than gape at their untouchable infallibility.
Britney Spears Is the Last of the Pop Goddesses|Kevin Fallon|December 3, 2013|DAILY BEAST
Gape at the chart that shows the chilling growth in derivatives, just one flavor of “structured product.”
Soothsayers of Silicon Valley|Adam Hanft|October 23, 2008|DAILY BEAST
All he could do was stand on the bell-deck and gape after me like the rest and growl.
Careers of Danger and Daring|Cleveland Moffett
"We have been on our feet nearly twenty-four hours, and I think you must be about played out," said the sergeant with a gape.
A Lieutenant at Eighteen|Oliver Optic

Bill feeble, gape extending to beneath the posterior angle of the eye.
A Synopsis of the Birds of North America|John James Audubon
The very telegraph posts seemed to gape with envy and admiration as he passed.
More William|Richmal Crompton
Father Holland and I were too much amazed to do aught but gape from each other to the dark window.
Lords of the North|A. C. Laut

British Dictionary definitions for gape

gape

/ (ɡeɪp) /

verb (intr)

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

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

to be or become wide openthe crater gaped under his feet

noun

the act of gaping

a wide opening; breach

the width of the widely opened mouth of a vertebrate

a stare or expression of astonishment

Word Origin for gape

C13: from Old Norse gapa; related to Middle Dutch gapen, Danish gabe

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012