yap

¹

[ yap ]

verb (used without object)

, yapped, yap·ping.

1. to bark sharply, shrilly, or snappishly; yelp.
2. Slang. to talk shrilly, noisily, or foolishly.

verb (used with object)

, yapped, yap·ping.

1. to utter by yapping.

noun

1. a sharp, shrill, or snappish bark; yelp.
2. Slang.
   1. shrill, noisy, or foolish talk.
   2. the mouth:

      Keep your yap shut.

3. Slang. an uncouth or stupid person; bumpkin; fool.

Yap

²

[ yahp, yap ]

noun

1. one of the Caroline Islands, in the W Pacific: part of the Federated States of Micronesia. 83 sq. mi. (215 sq. km).

Yap

¹

/ jɑːp; jæp /

noun

1. a group of four main islands in the W Pacific, in the W Caroline Islands: administratively a district of the US Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands from 1947; became self-governing in 1979 as part of the Federated States of Micronesia; important Japanese naval base in World War II. Pop: 11 647 (2006 est). Area: 101 sq km (39 sq miles)

yap

²

/ jæp /

verb

1. (of a dog) to bark in quick sharp bursts; yelp
2. informal.
   to talk at length in an annoying or stupid way; jabber

noun

1. a high-pitched or sharp bark; yelp
2. slang.
   annoying or stupid speech; jabber
3. slang.
   a derogatory word for mouth

interjection

1. usually reiterated an imitation or representation of the sound of a dog yapping or people jabbering

Derived Forms

• ˈyappy, adjective
• ˈyapper, noun

Other Words From

• yapper noun
• yapping·ly adverb
• yappy adjective yappier yappiest

Word History and Origins

Origin of yap¹

1595–1605; 1900–05 yap fordef 5b; imitative

Word History and Origins

Origin of yap¹

C17: of imitative origin

Example Sentences

Yap is a mechanical engineer at Rice University in Houston, Texas.

From Science News For Students

To investigate whether there was any basis for these claims, Yap and her team took stool samples from 247 children and adolescents between the ages of 2 and 17 and analyzed them for microbial DNA.

From Popular-Science

However, the evidence for the microbiome causing autism, or even being different in autistic people, is pretty weak, Yap says.

From Popular-Science

Wouldn't even pay attention to the packs of feral Iraqi hounds that yap and howl all through the night when people walk by.

From The Daily Beast

This "yap" passes for "yes," no doubt—although it isn't quite the way Mr. Webster would say it, perhaps.

From Project Gutenberg

Near me was a dog hole; its owner climbed up to peep out; in a minute or so he retired without a bark or a yap.

From Project Gutenberg

The island of Yap, which has been in the press so much of late, is an example.

From Project Gutenberg

Suddenly the spaniel jumped to his feet with a low, inquiring yap.

From Project Gutenberg

He tried to doze again, but the yap of the coyote disturbed him.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• babble
• ramble