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

Explanation

The reflex that makes you open your mouth wide, inhale, and then exhale is called a yawn. Even seeing photos of other people's yawns (or reading the word yawn) can make you yawn. We yawn when we're very bored or tired, or when our bodies need an influx of oxygen. Scientists aren't completely in agreement about all the reasons why we yawn, but the "contagious yawn" happens across all human societies and even in non-human animals like chimpanzees and dogs. Things can also yawn in a figurative way, when they're open wide. Yawn comes from gionian in Old English, "open the mouth wide."

Example Sentences

While the initial reaction in the stock market was a collective yawn, a five-year lookback shows that long-term investors have been treated very well by the company’s board of directors.

From MarketWatch • Apr. 13, 2026

If your mouth opens wide during any of the supposedly terrifying interludes, it’s more likely to form a yawn than a cry.

From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 26, 2026

There are a lot of showy moments, but one of the best comes shortly after the two characters meet when Jamie lets out a yawn.

From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 10, 2025

Although you might yawn a little more frequently than usual, you will probably be fine.

From BBC • Aug. 12, 2024

Naomi managed the day with no worse casualty than a few stern looks from her teachers when she stifled a yawn in class.

From "Out of Darkness" by Ashley Hope Pérez