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”; cf. 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

Aboard a luxury charter yacht led by Capt. Sandy Yawn and her chief steward, Aisha Scott, cameras catch the crew’s conflicts with each other while they also cater to their guests.

From Seattle Times • Jun. 2, 2024

With Captain Sandy Yawn at the helm of another boat sailing the Mediterranean, this season’s drama included someone on the crew having fake certifications and every person on deck getting sick.

From New York Times • Jan. 22, 2024

In March, AdAge called her “TV Partnership’s Power Broker” and likened her to Captain Sandy Yawn of Bravo’s reality series Below Deck Mediterranean because she’s so even-tempered.

From Slate • May 12, 2023

Rogers said that Julianna Zobrist’s alleged affair with former Tennessee pastor Byron Yawn caused the outfielder "extreme mental distress" and added that the singer "coaxed" her husband in returning to the Cubs.

From Fox News • Jul. 19, 2021

Yawn, did I?—glad of it—the yawn sent them away, or I should have snored;—rude, was I? they won't complain.

From Tales and Novels — Volume 06 by Edgeworth, Maria