gaper

[ gey-per ]

noun

1. a person or thing that gapes. gape.
2. Also called horse clam. a large clam, Tresus capax, common on gravelly and coarse-sand beaches.

ˈgaper

/ ˈɡeɪpə /

noun

1. a person or thing that gapes
2. any of various large marine bivalve molluscs of the genera Mya and Lutraria that burrow in muddy sand. M. arenaria is the American soft-shelled clam and the two species of Lutraria are the otter shells. The valves have a permanent gap at the hind end

Word History and Origins

Origin of gaper¹

First recorded in 1630–40; gape + -er ¹

Example Sentences

He loves being a gaper’s delight.

From New York Times

“There’s nothing like the surprising chill of sitting down on a toilet gaper in the dark.”

From Washington Post

Toilet gaper: A commode with the seat up.

From Washington Post

Comber, kom′bēr, n. a name applied to the gaper, a sea-perch, and to a species of wrasse.

From Project Gutenberg

Don't sit mooning there, gaper.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• bystander
• fan
• moviegoer
• observer
• onlooker
• sports fan
• theatergoer
• viewer