gape

American  

[geyp, gap] / geɪp, gæp /

verb (used without object)

gaped, gaping

1. to stare with open mouth, as in wonder.

2. to open the mouth wide involuntarily, as the result of hunger, sleepiness, or absorbed attention.

   Synonyms:

   yawn

3. to open as a gap; split or become open wide.

   Synonyms:

   yawn

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noun

1. a wide opening; gap; breach.

2. an act or instance of gaping.

3. a stare, as in astonishment or with the mouth wide open.

4. a yawn.

5. Zoology. the width of the open mouth.

gape British  

/ ɡeɪp /

verb

1. to stare in wonder or amazement, esp with the mouth open

2. to open the mouth wide, esp involuntarily, as in yawning or hunger

3. to be or become wide open

   the crater gaped under his feet

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noun

1. the act of gaping

2. a wide opening; breach

3. the width of the widely opened mouth of a vertebrate

4. a stare or expression of astonishment

Related Words

See gaze.

Other Word Forms

• gapingly adverb
• subgape verb (used without object)
• ungaping adjective

Etymology

Origin of gape

1175–1225; Middle English, from Old Norse gapa “to open the mouth wide”; compare German gaffen

Explanation

If Bigfoot walked down your street wearing a tutu, you might gape or stare at the man-ape with your mouth open. You'd really gape if the tutu had a gaping, or wide open, hole. Gape is closely related to the word, gap, which means a space between things. When you gape at something, there is a lot of space between your teeth because your mouth is open in disbelief. You'll often hear mothers telling children not to gape. The fact is it's rude to stare at someone that way, even if they are a Sasquatch on the way to dance class.

Example Sentences

Scientology remains this subgenre’s biggest recurring star, even as we seasonally gape at and praise the high-power talent that legitimizes it.

From Salon • Jun. 6, 2024

One would expect a more forceful reaction, but Margaret does little more than gape and then move on.

From Seattle Times • Apr. 5, 2024

As geology fans gape at video feeds that show incandescent rocks blowing from El Popo’s peak, those who live along its flanks have watched with respect and a noteworthy lack of trepidation.

From Los Angeles Times • May 25, 2023

Mr Kinnock, who was director of the British Council in St Petersburg from 2005 to 2008, said time spent there taught him there was a huge gape between the Russian public and the country's leadership.

From BBC • Feb. 28, 2022

At night, seated at a crude table, with a kerosene lamp spluttering at my elbow, I would fill out insurance applications, and a sharecropper family, fresh from laboring in the fields, would stand and gape.

From "Black Boy" by Richard Wright

Related Words

• glare
• gloat
• stare