yap

[ yap ]
See synonyms for yap on Thesaurus.com
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.

    • shrill, noisy, or foolish talk.

    • the mouth: Keep your yap shut.

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

Origin of yap

1
1595–1605; 1900–05 for def. 5b; imitative

Other words from yap

  • yapper, noun
  • yap·ping·ly, adverb
  • yappy, adjective, yap·pi·er, yap·pi·est.

Words Nearby yap

Other definitions for Yap (2 of 2)

Yap
[ 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).

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024

How to use yap in a sentence

  • Near me was a dog hole; its owner climbed up to peep out; in a minute or so he retired without a bark or a yap.

    Watched by Wild Animals | Enos A. Mills
  • The island of yap, which has been in the press so much of late, is an example.

    The Pacific Triangle | Sydney Greenbie
  • Suddenly the spaniel jumped to his feet with a low, inquiring yap.

    Rayton: A Backwoods Mystery | Theodore Goodridge Roberts
  • He tried to doze again, but the yap of the coyote disturbed him.

British Dictionary definitions for yap (1 of 2)

yap

/ (jæp) /


verbyaps, yapping or yapped (intr)
  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

  1. slang a derogatory word for mouth

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

Origin of yap

1
C17: of imitative origin

Derived forms of yap

  • yapper, noun
  • yappy, adjective

British Dictionary definitions for Yap (2 of 2)

Yap

/ (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)

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012