yap

¹

[yap]

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

[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

/ 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

/ 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

Word History and Origins

Origin of yap¹

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of yap¹

C17: of imitative origin

Example Sentences

“Ah, now! This is some of the nicest bread I’ve ever had. But you three are surely in a puppyish mood today! I haven’t heard this much yapping and ahwooing in many a month.”

Read more on Literature

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

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

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“Then we must see it,” Alexander replied, and Beowulf yapped in agreement.

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

Read more on BBC

Related Words

• babble 
• ramble