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

Example Sentences

They were still gaping open from my arrival.

From Literature

He replied, “The vacuum” — the gaping void where his career used to be.

From MarketWatch

She said the scar had not healed and there was a "gaping hole", and the implant site was infected.

From BBC

Dad gaped at Mr. Reardon and lurched forward in his chair.

From Literature

On the sloping shoreline of the Greek Aegean island of Milos, a vast construction site has left a gaping wound into the island's trademark volcanic rock.

From Barron's

Related Words

• glare
• gloat
• stare