gape

play

verb \ ˈgāp , sometimes ˈgap \

Updated on: 11 Sep 2017

Definition of gape

gaped; gaping

intransitive verb

1 a :to open the mouth wide

b :to open or part widely

holes gaped in the pavement

2 :to gaze stupidly or in openmouthed surprise or wonder

gaped at the squabbling monkeys

3 :yawn

The dull lecture made the students gape.

—

gapingly

play \ˈgā-piŋ-lē, ˈga-piŋ-\ adverb

See gape defined for English-language learners

See gape defined for kids

Examples of gape in a Sentence

she suddenly realized she had been gaping at the good-looking waiter instead of giving him her order

Recent Examples of gape from the Web

Imago Fulvio also has a key to the side door, so guides can bring groups in to gape at the Renaissance frescoes.

— andrea bartz, Vogue, "Exactly How to Get Into Rome’s Most Beautiful Off-Limits Attractions," 17 Aug. 2017
At one point the model and cookbook author leaned over her husband, causing her flowing, loose-fitting black jumpsuit to gape in the front, giving the audience a little bit of a peep show.

— andrea park, Glamour, "In Which Chrissy Teigen Grinds on John Legend During His New York Concert," 28 June 2017
The rule: Blazers will gape open awkwardly in the front or lie awkwardly against your body.

— charles manning, Cosmopolitan, "8 Rules For Dressing a Large Bust You Should Seriously Never Follow," 26 Apr. 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'gape.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of gape

Middle English gapen, borrowed from Old Norse gapa, going back to Germanic *gapōn- (whence Middle Dutch gapen "to gaze stupidly," Middle High German gaffen), perhaps of phonesthemic origin

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 13th century

See Words from the same year

gape Synonyms

Synonyms

blink, gawk, gawp [chiefly British], gaze, goggle, peer, rubberneck, stare

Related Words

glare, gloat, glower; consider, eye, fixate, observe, regard, watch; leer, ogle; peruse, pore (over), study; outface, outstare, stare down

Near Antonyms

glance, glimpse, peek, peep; browse, dip (into), scan; wink (at)

gape

noun

Definition of gape

1 :an act of opening the mouth wide:

a :yawn

b :an openmouthed stare

2 :an unfilled space or extent

3 a :the median margin-to-margin length of the open mouth

b :the line along which the mandibles (see mandible 1c) of a bird close

c :the width of an opening

4 gapes plural in form but singular in construction

a :a disease of birds and especially young birds in which gapeworms invade and irritate the trachea (see trachea 1)

b :a fit of yawning

Examples of gape in a Sentence

I told him to stop staring, that his rather stupid gape was annoying.

Recent Examples of gape from the Web

Lines snake around almost every tent, inside of which crowds gape at the latest iteration of the revered god.

— geeta anand, New York Times, "Uncertain Times in India, but Not for a Deity SEPT. 18, 2013," 15 Sep. 2016

Origin and Etymology of gape

derivative of ¹gape

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 1535

See Words from the same year

gape Synonyms

Synonyms

aspect [archaic], eye, gaze, regard, scrutiny, stare

Related Words

glare, glower; contemplation, fixation; attention, observance, observation, surveillance, watch; examination, inspection, perusal, study, survey

Near Antonyms

blink [chiefly Scottish], flash, glance, glimpse, peek, peep, sight, stime [chiefly Scottish & Irish]; oeillade, ogle; browse, scan

GAPE Defined for English Language Learners

gape

play

verb

Definition of gape for English Language Learners

: to open widely
: to look at someone or something with your mouth open in surprise or wonder

GAPE Defined for Kids

gape

play

verb \ ˈgāp \

Definition of gape for Students

gaped; gaping

1 :to stare with the mouth open in surprise or wonder

… he stood and gaped at her in astonishment …
—Astrid Lindgren, Pippi Longstocking

2 :to open or part widely

a gaping wound

gape

noun

Definition of gape for Students

:an act or instance of opening or staring with the mouth open

He ignored everyone's stunned gapes.

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gape

Definition of gape

Examples of gape in a Sentence

Recent Examples of gape from the Web

Origin and Etymology of gape

gape Synonyms

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GAPE Defined for English Language Learners

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Definition of gape for English Language Learners

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