yawp

or yaup

[ yawp, yahp ]

verb (used without object)

1. to utter a loud, harsh cry; to yelp, squawk, or bawl.
2. Slang. to talk noisily and foolishly or complainingly.

noun

1. a harsh cry.
2. Slang.
   1. raucous or querulous speech.
   2. a noisy, foolish utterance.

yawp

/ jɔːp /

verb

1. to gape or yawn, esp audibly
2. to shout, cry, or talk noisily; bawl
3. to bark, yelp, or yowl

noun

1. a shout, bark, yelp, or cry
2. a noisy, foolish, or raucous utterance

Derived Forms

• ˈyawper, noun

Other Words From

• yawper noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of yawp¹

1300–50; Middle English yolpen; akin to yelp

Word History and Origins

Origin of yawp¹

C15: yolpen, probably of imitative origin; see yap , yelp

Example Sentences

After Glazer’s film cuts to black at the end, the music reemerges in a nightmarish march of yawping voices.

From Los Angeles Times

For every love ballad there’s a “Sunday Bloody Sunday,” a mournful yawp on the Irish Troubles that was actually written by U2 guitarist the Edge.

From Los Angeles Times

Every few minutes, it seemed, they were forming a phalanx across the stage to belt at me, channeling the angst of teenagers everywhere into a wordless yawp.

From Los Angeles Times

Curiously, the filmmakers gave these folks dialogue that consists mostly of aaarghs, yawps, screeches and snarls.

From Seattle Times

"What the...? Where you get that?" he yawped, slowly relaxing his forehead.

From Literature