gape

play

verb \ˈgāp sometimes ˈgap\

Definition of gape

gaped

;

gaping

intransitive verb
1a : to open the mouth wideb : 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

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

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First Known Use: 13th century

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gape

noun

Definition of gape

1 : an act of opening the mouth wide:a : yawnb : an openmouthed stare
2 : an unfilled space or extent
3a : the median margin-to-margin length of the open mouthb : the line along which the mandibles (see mandible 1c) of a bird closec : the width of an opening
4 gapes plural 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.

Origin and Etymology of gape

derivative of ¹gape

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First Known Use: 1535

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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