yawn
verb (used without object)
to open the mouth somewhat involuntarily with a prolonged, deep inhalation and sighing or heavy exhalation, as from drowsiness or boredom.
had been yawning
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past perfect progressiveof yawn.past perfect progressive
Used to describe an action that was ongoing continuously in the past up until another past event interrupted it.
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Laborites, who had been yawning and sprawling on their benches, came to life.
From Time Magazine Archive
Ninian, who had been yawning so heavily downstairs, was now sitting up in bed, reading a copy of the Engineer.
From Changing Winds A Novel by St. John G. (St. John Greer) Ervine
Cruelly, the play of the light showed her face faded and her neck flabby; and because she had been yawning, even her eyes were watery, and for some seconds the lids were sunk and reddened.
From Light by Fitzwater Wray
Reggie van Tuyl, who had been yawning in a hopeless sort of way, showed his first flicker of interest.
From Indiscretions of Archie by P. G. (Pelham Grenville) Wodehouse
On the contrary, he yawned again as he had been yawning all day.
From Under Western Eyes by Joseph Conrad
