yap

¹

[ yap ]

verb (used without object)

, yapped, yap·ping.

1. to bark sharply, shrilly, or snappishly; yelp.
2. Slang. to talk shrilly, noisily, or foolishly.

verb (used with object)

, yapped, yap·ping.

1. to utter by yapping.

noun

1. a sharp, shrill, or snappish bark; yelp.
2. Slang.
   1. shrill, noisy, or foolish talk.
   2. the mouth:

      Keep your yap shut.

3. Slang. an uncouth or stupid person; bumpkin; fool.

Yap

²

[ yahp, yap ]

noun

1. one of the Caroline Islands, in the W Pacific: part of the Federated States of Micronesia. 83 sq. mi. (215 sq. km).

Yap

¹

/ jɑːp; jæp /

noun

1. a group of four main islands in the W Pacific, in the W Caroline Islands: administratively a district of the US Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands from 1947; became self-governing in 1979 as part of the Federated States of Micronesia; important Japanese naval base in World War II. Pop: 11 647 (2006 est). Area: 101 sq km (39 sq miles)

yap

²

/ jæp /

verb

1. (of a dog) to bark in quick sharp bursts; yelp
2. informal.
   to talk at length in an annoying or stupid way; jabber

noun

1. a high-pitched or sharp bark; yelp
2. slang.
   annoying or stupid speech; jabber
3. slang.
   a derogatory word for mouth

interjection

1. usually reiterated an imitation or representation of the sound of a dog yapping or people jabbering

Derived Forms

• ˈyappy, adjective
• ˈyapper, noun

Other Words From

• yapper noun
• yapping·ly adverb
• yappy adjective yappier yappiest

Word History and Origins

Origin of yap¹

1595–1605; 1900–05 yap fordef 5b; imitative

Word History and Origins

Origin of yap¹

C17: of imitative origin

Example Sentences

"There’s uncertainty on potential tariff change and increasing pushback from more countries related to its 'cheap' prices," said Alicia Yap, an equity research analyst at Citi, before the results were announced.

From BBC

The only institute affiliate who seems to have received any sort of retribution for racism, in fact, is Diane Yap, who stopped contributing to the institute after posting a tweet where she referred to a Black user’s “ancestors” as “farm equipment.”

From Slate

On a quiet weekday evening inside a restaurant in Brooklyn, a dog under a table announced its presence with a single pronounced yap.

From New York Times

I’ll usually be with a friend and just yap.

From Los Angeles Times

But if someone could ever persuade him to latch his yap about COVID, he would seem like a much bigger threat to Biden from the left—a Ralph Nader who starts out with double-digit support and God’s greatest gift of a last name.

From Slate

Related Words

• babble
• ramble