yawning

[ yaw-ning ]

/ ˈyɔ nɪŋ /

SEE SYNONYMS FOR yawning ON THESAURUS.COM

adjective

being or standing wide open; gaping: the yawning mouth of a cave.

indicating by yawns one's weariness or indifference: The lecturer was oblivious to his yawning audience.

Origin of yawning

before 900; Middle English; Old English geniendum. See yawn, -ing²

OTHER WORDS FROM yawning

yawn·ing·ly, adverb

Words nearby yawning

yawl-rigged, yawmeter, yawn, yawner, yawnful, yawning, yawnsome, yawny, yawp, yaws, yaxchilán

Definition for yawning (2 of 2)

yawn

[ yawn ]

/ yɔn /

verb (used without object)

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

to open wide like a mouth.

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

verb (used with object)

to say with a yawn.

Archaic. to open wide, or lay open, as if by yawning.

noun

an act or instance of yawning.

an opening; open space; chasm.

Also yawner. Informal. something so boring as to make one yawn: Critics say the new fashions are one big yawn.

Origin of yawn

before 900; Middle English yanen, yonen (v.), alteration of yenen, Old English ge(o)nian; akin to Old English gānian, ginan, Old Norse gīna, G gähnen, Latin hiāre (see hiatus), Greek chaínein to gape (see chasm)

SYNONYMS FOR yawn

1–3 gape.

SEE SYNONYMS FOR yawn ON THESAURUS.COM

WORDS THAT MAY BE CONFUSED WITH yawn

yawn yon

Example sentences from the Web for yawning

Allergies are a common culprit behind daily yawning sessions for the 50 million Americans who suffer from them.

10 Reasons You’re Exhausted and What to Do About It |DailyBurn |April 25, 2014 |DAILY BEAST
“While inhaling, imagine that your throat is opening as if you were yawning,” says Anzovino.

5 Healthier Ways to Detox (That Aren’t Juice Cleanses) |DailyBurn |February 20, 2014 |DAILY BEAST
The insane, obscene, yawning difference between the pay of workers and bosses has long been used as a cudgel by labor groups.

The SEC Can’t Make CEOs Care About Their Employees |Daniel Gross |September 19, 2013 |DAILY BEAST
When Hebron makes it to the media the yawning gap between Hebron and Tel Aviv is bridged for a minute or two.

Israeli Soldiers Dancing at Hebron Wedding Were Probably Not Welcome Guests |Avner Gvaryahu |August 30, 2013 |DAILY BEAST

Inching towards the opposing positions will never bridge the yawning chasm between them.

The Reality Behind Kerry's Optimism |Matthew Kalman |July 1, 2013 |DAILY BEAST
A man was leaning against the wall, yawning, at an evening party.

Nell, of Shorne Mills |Charles Garvice
She led him back upon the plateau, and, urging him both with whip and voice, she started him again toward the yawning chasm.

Led Astray and The Sphinx |Octave Feuillet
"Well, go on getting the jury," said the judge, yawning again and handing the paper to the clerk.

By Advice of Counsel |Arthur Train
A few French passengers straggled in, yawning and looking irritable.

The Garden Of Allah |Robert Hichens
“So this is Cuba,” observed Joe, yawning and looking at the green jungle, which seemed everywhere about them.

Secrets of the Andes |James H. Foster

British Dictionary definitions for yawning

yawn

/ (jɔːn) /

verb

(intr) to open the mouth wide and take in air deeply, often as in involuntary reaction to tiredness, sleepiness, or boredom

(tr) to express or utter while yawning

(intr) to be open wide as if threatening to engulf (someone or something) the mine shaft yawned below

noun

the act or an instance of yawning

Derived forms of yawn

yawner, noun yawning, adjective yawningly, adverb

Word Origin for yawn

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

Medical definitions for yawning

yawn

[ yôn ]

v.

To open the mouth wide with a deep inhalation, usually involuntarily from drowsiness, fatigue, or boredom.

n.

The act of yawning.

BROWSE DICTIONARY

Learning

yawning

adjective

Origin of yawning

OTHER WORDS FROM yawning

Words nearby yawning

Definition for yawning (2 of 2)

verb (used without object)

verb (used with object)

noun

Origin of yawn

SYNONYMS FOR yawn

WORDS THAT MAY BE CONFUSED WITH yawn

Example sentences from the Web for yawning

British Dictionary definitions for yawning

verb

noun

Derived forms of yawn

Word Origin for yawn

Medical definitions for yawning

v.

n.

BROWSE DICTIONARY

Learning

yawning

adjective

Origin of yawning

OTHER WORDS FROM yawning

Words nearby yawning

Definition for yawning (2 of 2)

verb (used without object)

verb (used with object)

noun

Origin of yawn

SYNONYMS FOR yawn

WORDS THAT MAY BE CONFUSED WITH yawn

Words related to yawning

Example sentences from the Web for yawning

British Dictionary definitions for yawning

verb

noun

Derived forms of yawn

Word Origin for yawn

Medical definitions for yawning

v.

n.