yak

1 of 4

noun (1)

ˈyak 

plural yaks also yak

: a large long-haired wild or domesticated ox (Bos grunniens synonym Poephagus grunniens) of Tibet and adjacent elevated parts of central Asia

Illustration of yak

• ¹yak

yak

2 of 4

noun (2)

ˈyäk  ˈyak 

less common variant of yuk entry 1

1

slang : laugh

did it just for yuks

2

slang : joke, gag

yak

3 of 4

verb

ˈyak 

variants or less commonly yack

yakked also yacked; yakking also yacking

intransitive verb

: to talk persistently : chatter

yak

4 of 4

noun (3)

variants or less commonly yack

: persistent or voluble talk

Examples of yak in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

If these clone yaks are meant to boost the farming industry, are they being selectively bred to produce more milk, or better cuts of meat, or specific types of wool? — Jessie Yeung, CNN Money, 25 July 2026

The elephants are escorted by handlers who fan them with peacock feathers and yak-hair whisks. — ABC News, 3 July 2026

Verb

But the core of the appeal of fantasy sports is the joy of tracking each week’s games and yakking about it with sports-crazy friends, Berry emphasizes. — Cynthia Littleton, Variety, 6 Feb. 2026

But why not enjoy yakking about it? — Susan Orlean, New Yorker, 11 Oct. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Noun (1)

Tibetan (Lhasa dialect) yaʔ (spelled gyag)

Verb

probably imitative

First Known Use

Noun (1)

1795, in the meaning defined above

Verb

1949, in the meaning defined above

Noun (3)

1950, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for yak

• ack
• brack
• clack
• crack
• dak
• flack
• flak
• hack
• jack
• knack
• lac
• lack

Kids Definition

yak

noun

ˈyak

plural yaks also yak

: a large long-haired wild or domesticated ox of Tibet and nearby elevated parts of central Asia