yawning

[ yaw-ning ]

/ ˈyɔ nɪŋ /

Save This Word!

See synonyms for yawning on Thesaurus.com

adjective

being or standing wide open; gaping: the yawning mouth of a cave.

indicating by yawns one's weariness or indifference: The lecturer was oblivious to his yawning audience.

QUIZ

CAN YOU ANSWER THESE COMMON GRAMMAR DEBATES?

There are grammar debates that never die; and the ones highlighted in the questions in this quiz are sure to rile everyone up once again. Do you know how to answer the questions that cause some of the greatest grammar debates?

Question 1 of 7

Which sentence is correct?

His boss, whom he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

His boss, who he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

TAKE THE QUIZ TO FIND OUT

Origin of yawning

before 900; Middle English; Old English geniendum.See yawn, -ing²

OTHER WORDS FROM yawning

yawn·ing·ly, adverb

Words nearby yawning

yawl-rigged, yawmeter, yawn, yawner, yawnful, yawning, yawnsome, yawny, yawp, yaws, Yaxchilán

How to use yawning in a sentence

In lions, contagious yawning might be important for maintaining social cohesion, Palagi says.
Yawning helps lions synchronize their groups’ movements|Jake Buehler|April 6, 2021|Science News
I think as time continues, we’ll find that the contagious yawning is more common among some of these highly social species.
Yawning helps lions synchronize their groups’ movements|Jake Buehler|April 6, 2021|Science News
Closing the wage gap and addressing yawning economic inequality in America would help people of all races.
Eight Things Every White Person Should Know About White Privilege|Sally Kohn|May 7, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Allergies are a common culprit behind daily yawning sessions for the 50 million Americans who suffer from them.
10 Reasons You’re Exhausted and What to Do About It|DailyBurn|April 25, 2014|DAILY BEAST

“While inhaling, imagine that your throat is opening as if you were yawning,” says Anzovino.
5 Healthier Ways to Detox (That Aren’t Juice Cleanses)|DailyBurn|February 20, 2014|DAILY BEAST
The insane, obscene, yawning difference between the pay of workers and bosses has long been used as a cudgel by labor groups.
The SEC Can’t Make CEOs Care About Their Employees|Daniel Gross|September 19, 2013|DAILY BEAST
When Hebron makes it to the media the yawning gap between Hebron and Tel Aviv is bridged for a minute or two.
Israeli Soldiers Dancing at Hebron Wedding Were Probably Not Welcome Guests|Avner Gvaryahu|August 30, 2013|DAILY BEAST
He aimed at the yawning hippopotamus and fired, hitting it on the skull, but at such an angle that the ball glanced off.
Hunting the Lions|R.M. Ballantyne
On one hand is the yawning gulf of social catastrophe represented by socialism.
The Unsolved Riddle of Social Justice|Stephen Leacock
He stood up bravely and marched along, yawning, while his big brother and sister almost swung him between them.
The Box-Car Children|Gertrude Chandler Warner
The path leading to it is over a small ledge of rock, skirted on each side by a yawning abyss.
A Woman's Journey Round the World|Ida Pfeiffer
It seemed to him as though he were standing on a precipice, while beneath him were yawning depths of darkness.
The Everlasting Arms|Joseph Hocking