yawn

[ yawn ]
See synonyms for: yawnyawning on Thesaurus.com

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.

  2. to open wide like a mouth.

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

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.

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

Origin of yawn

1
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”; cf. hiatus,dehisce, chasm

Other words for yawn

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Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024

How to use yawn in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for yawn

yawn

/ (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

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

noun
  1. the act or an instance of yawning

Origin of yawn

1
Old English gionian; related to Old Saxon ginōn, Old High German ginēn to yawn, Old Norse gjā gap

Derived forms of yawn

  • yawner, noun
  • yawning, adjective
  • yawningly, adverb

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