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

The corners of its mouth, called the gape, stopped around the middle of its eyes and turned up, which someone described as a “Mona Lisa smile,” she said.

From Los Angeles Times • Sep. 4, 2025

Scientology remains this subgenre’s biggest recurring star, even as we seasonally gape at and praise the high-power talent that legitimizes it.

From Salon • Jun. 6, 2024

One would expect a more forceful reaction, but Margaret does little more than gape and then move on.

From Seattle Times • Apr. 5, 2024

Mr Kinnock, who was director of the British Council in St Petersburg from 2005 to 2008, said time spent there taught him there was a huge gape between the Russian public and the country's leadership.

From BBC • Feb. 28, 2022

He hands me a check and I gape at him.

From "Red Flags and Butterflies" by Sheryl Azzam

Related Words

• glare
• gloat
• stare