yak

1 of 7

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 7

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 7

verb (1)

ˈyak 

variants or less commonly yack

yakked also yacked; yakking also yacking

intransitive verb

: to talk persistently : chatter

yak

4 of 7

noun (3)

variants or less commonly yack

: persistent or voluble talk

yuk

5 of 7

noun (4)

ˈyək 

variants or yuck or less commonly yak

ˈyäk  ˈyak 

or yock

ˈyäk 

1

slang : laugh

did it just for yuks

2

slang : joke, gag

yuk

6 of 7

verb (2)

variants or yuck

yukked or yucked; yukking or yucking

intransitive verb

slang

: laugh, joke

—usually used in the phrase yuk it up

yuk

7 of 7

interjection

less common spelling of yuck entry 2

—used to express rejection or disgust

looked at the meal I had prepared and said "yuck, I hate that"

Synonyms of yak

Noun (4)

• joke
• laugh
• joking
• gag
• giggle

Verb (2)

• joke
• fun

Examples of yak in a Sentence

Noun (4)

the yuks on this new sitcom are so pathetic that the souped-up laugh track merely adds insult to injury

Verb (2)

pay no mind to those clowns—they are just yukking it up and don't mean any harm

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Even as a young boy (Samdrum Dorje Lama plays him at that age), Tenzing was fascinated with the allure and mystery of the mountain while herding his family’s yaks in Tibet. — Pete Hammond, Deadline, 7 Sep. 2026

The world’s estimated 500 million pastoralists have fine-tuned the skill of living off the meat, dairy, fibers, and hides produced by their herds of sheep, cattle, camels, yaks, reindeer, and llamas. — The Christian Science Monitor, Christian Science Monitor, 2 Sep. 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

Noun

Certainly, a just-for-yuks take on infidelity, anger and marital resentment may strike many television executives as a risky bet. — Alex Williams, New York Times, 5 Oct. 2016

Verb

Who has more fun than golfers who yuk it up throughout a four-hour round? — Tom Krasovic, San Diego Union-Tribune, 17 Apr. 2025

If that week’s offering was pure schlock, my dad and I would yuk it up. — Shannon Doyne, New York Times, 14 Apr. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Noun (1)

Tibetan (Lhasa dialect) yaʔ (spelled gyag)

Verb (1)

probably imitative

First Known Use

Noun (1)

1795, in the meaning defined above

Verb (1)

1949, in the meaning defined above

Noun (3)

1950, in the meaning defined above

Noun (4)

1946, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb (2)

1964, 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