yawn

[ yawn ]

verb (used without object)

1. to open the mouth somewhat involuntarily with a prolonged, deep inhalation and sighing or heavy exhalation, as from drowsiness or boredom.

   Synonyms: gape

2. to open wide like a mouth.

   Synonyms: gape

3. to extend or stretch wide, as an open and deep space.

   Synonyms: gape

verb (used with object)

1. to say with a yawn.
2. Archaic. to open wide, or lay open, as if by yawning.

noun

1. an act or instance of yawning.
2. an opening; open space; chasm.
3. Also Informal. something so boring as to make one yawn:

   Critics say the new fashions are one big yawn.

yawn

/ jɔːn /

verb

1. intr to open the mouth wide and take in air deeply, often as in involuntary reaction to tiredness, sleepiness, or boredom
2. tr to express or utter while yawning
3. intr to be open wide as if threatening to engulf (someone or something)

   the mine shaft yawned below

noun

1. the act or an instance of yawning

Derived Forms

• ˈyawner, noun
• ˈyawning, adjective
• ˈyawningly, adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of yawn¹

First recorded before 900; Middle English verb yanen, yonen, alteration of yenen, Old English ge(o)nian; akin to Old English gānian, ginan, Old Norse gīna, German gähnen, Latin hiāre “to be wide open, gape,” Greek chaínein “to gape”; hiatus, dehisce ( def ), chasm

Word History and Origins

Origin of yawn¹

Old English gionian; related to Old Saxon ginōn, Old High German ginēn to yawn, Old Norse gjā gap

Example Sentences

A stark, yawning gap separated private behavior and deep-rooted public morality.

From Los Angeles Times

With “Succession” gone the premium cable channel needs something to fill the yawning space between seasons of “House of the Dragon.”

From Salon

The tried-and-true way to close yawning gaps in income inequality, health care access, and worker satisfaction is with labor unions.

From Salon

Lower state funding, along with higher costs primarily driven by faculty and staff pay increases, larger retirement plan contributions and more expensive healthcare, are projected to create that yawning UC budget hole.

From Los Angeles Times

Just as months of relentless polling showed Harris in a virtual tie with Donald Trump, many of those same surveys told the story of a yawning gender gap.

From BBC