yawn

American  

[yawn] / yɔn /

verb (used without object)

1. to open the mouth somewhat involuntarily with a prolonged, deep inhalation and sighing or heavy exhalation, as from drowsiness or boredom.

   Synonyms:

   gape

2. to open wide like a mouth.

   Synonyms:

   gape

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

   Synonyms:

   gape

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verb (used with object)

1. to say with a yawn.

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

noun

1. an act or instance of yawning.

2. an opening; open space; chasm.

3. Informal. Also something so boring as to make one yawn.

   Critics say the new fashions are one big yawn.

yawn British  

/ jɔːn /

verb

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

2. (tr) to express or utter while yawning

3. (intr) to be open wide as if threatening to engulf (someone or something)

   the mine shaft yawned below

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noun

1. the act or an instance of yawning

Other Word Forms

• yawner noun
• yawning adjective
• yawningly adverb

Etymology

Origin of yawn

First recorded before 900; Middle English verb yanen, yonen, alteration of yenen, Old English ge(o)nian; akin to Old English gānian, ginan, Old Norse gīna, German gähnen, Latin hiāre “to be wide open, gape,” Greek chaínein “to gape”; hiatus, dehisce ( def. ), chasm

Example Sentences

“Today’s market yawns at the risk only because Iran talks tough, but hasn’t pulled the trigger, ever,” Raj said.

From MarketWatch

“Today’s market yawns at the risk only because Iran talks tough, but hasn’t pulled the trigger, ever,” Raj said.

From MarketWatch

I expected frustration in that yawning gap between memory and present ability, but instead, it was exhilarating.

From Salon

Nothing much happens, until the segment’s finale introduces a twist that suggests the yawning chasm between what we think we know about our parents and what the truth of their lives is.

From Los Angeles Times

In a bid to plug the yawning gap, the European Commission, the EU's executive, has put forward a plan to tap some 210 billion euros of Russian central bank assets frozen in the bloc.

From Barron's