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
Miss Bennett, who had been yawning on the drive home, walked straight to the staircase.
From Manslaughter by Miller, Alice Duer
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 Ervine, St. John G. (St. John Greer)
Reggie van Tuyl, who had been yawning in a hopeless sort of way, showed his first flicker of interest.
From Indiscretions of Archie by Wodehouse, P. G. (Pelham Grenville)
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 Wray, Fitzwater
