yawn

[ yawn ]

/ yɔn /

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR yawn ON THESAURUS.COM

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.

to open wide like a mouth.

to extend or stretch wide, as an open and deep space.

verb (used with object)

to say with a yawn.

Archaic. to open wide, or lay open, as if by yawning.

noun

an act or instance of yawning.

an opening; open space; chasm.

Also yawner. Informal. something so boring as to make one yawn: Critics say the new fashions are one big yawn.

Nearby words

Origin of yawn

before 900; Middle English yanen, yonen (v.), alteration of yenen, Old English ge(o)nian; akin to Old English gānian, ginan, Old Norse gīna, G gähnen, Latin hiāre (see hiatus), Greek chaínein to gape (see chasm)

SYNONYMS FOR yawn

1–3. gape.

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR yawn ON THESAURUS.COM

Can be confusedyawn yon

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for yawn

My greatest fear is that we will find out they are spying on us, and the American public will yawn.
Big Brother Is Watching Your Cell Phone|Megan McArdle|June 6, 2013|DAILY BEAST
He would read her his poetry, and she would stretch and yawn like a cat.
Baudelaire’s Femme Fatale Muse|James MacManus|May 7, 2013|DAILY BEAST
When it comes to Christian Zionism, the gap between perception and reality continues to yawn wide.
Christian Zionism: An Overdue Reality Check|David Brog|July 10, 2012|DAILY BEAST
Most Americans greeted the end of the Iraq War the same way they responded to the beginning of it—with a shrug and a yawn.
The List: Accounting for the Iraqi Allies America Left Behind|Matt Gallagher|April 24, 2012|DAILY BEAST

“We want to take this around the world,” Gary says, stifling a yawn.
Decentralized Dance Parties: Raves’ Next Wave|Winston Ross|February 3, 2012|DAILY BEAST
"Suppose we go up to the Corner and see what's stirring," suggested the Donkey, with a yawn.
The Wit and Humor of America, Volume III. (of X.)|Various
"I knew there was something else," said Mrs. Sheridan, blinking over a yawn.
The Turmoil|Booth Tarkington
"Whow, I'm sleepy tonight," laughed Nelly, suppressing a yawn.
Peggy Stewart at School|Gabrielle E. Jackson
Hold on, say, I may want to yawn presently and I shall want somebody to shut my mouth.
Our American Cousin|Tom Taylor
It was difficult to say whether he was concealing a smile or a yawn.
The Truth About Tristrem Varick|Edgar Saltus

British Dictionary definitions for yawn

yawn

/ (jɔːn) /

verb

(intr) to open the mouth wide and take in air deeply, often as in involuntary reaction to tiredness, sleepiness, or boredom

(tr) to express or utter while yawning

(intr) to be open wide as if threatening to engulf (someone or something)the mine shaft yawned below

noun

the act or an instance of yawning

Derived Formsyawner, nounyawning, adjectiveyawningly, adverb

Word Origin for yawn

Old English gionian; related to Old Saxon ginōn, Old High German ginēn to yawn, Old Norse gjā gap

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Word Origin and History for yawn

yawn

c.1300, yenen, yonen, from Old English ginian, gionian "open the mouth wide, gape," from Proto-Germanic *gin- (cf. Old Norse gina "to yawn," Dutch geeuwen, Old High German ginen, German gähnen "to yawn"), from PIE *ghai- "to yawn, gape" (cf. Old Church Slavonic zijajo "to gape," Lithuanian zioju, Czech zivati "to yawn," Greek khainein, Latin hiare "to yawn, gape," Sanskrit vijihite "to gape, be ajar"). Related: Yawned; yawning.

yawn

"act of yawning," 1690s, from yawn (v.). Meaning "boring thing" is attested from 1889.

Medicine definitions for yawn

yawn

[ yôn ]

v.

To open the mouth wide with a deep inhalation, usually involuntarily from drowsiness, fatigue, or boredom.

n.

The act of yawning.

yawn

verb (used without object)

verb (used with object)

noun

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Origin of yawn

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yawn

verb

noun

Word Origin for yawn

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