yap

¹ American  

[yap] / yæp /

verb (used without object)

yapped, yapping

1. to bark sharply, shrilly, or snappishly; yelp.

2. Slang. to talk shrilly, noisily, or foolishly.

---

verb (used with object)

yapped, yapping

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 American  

[yahp, yap] / yɑp, yæp /

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 British  

/ 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

Yap ² British  

/ 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)

---

Other Word Forms

• yapper noun
• yappingly adverb
• yappy adjective

Etymology

Origin of yap

1595–1605; 1900–05 yap for def. 5b; imitative

Example Sentences

“In which case, we would make sure there was none. Yap, yap!”

From Literature

Cassiopeia yapped in excitement, and then poked Beowulf, for her exclamation had sounded rather like his name.

From Literature

The children yapped in alarm, the admiral shouted words of courage, the widow wailed, and Lady Constance shrieked.

From Literature

“Can’t imagine why you bother with them, Freddy. They must be a dreadful expense to feed. And the noise! All that barking and yapping and ahwooing. Why not give them to the zoo?”

From Literature

"I'm usually wearing my bonnet, no makeup and I just pick up the phone and start yapping," she says.

From BBC

Related Words

• babble
• ramble