Merriam-Webster Logo
SINCE 1828
Menu
×

An Encyclopædia Britannica Company

yawning

adjective yawn·ing \ ˈyȯ-niŋ \
See What's Trending Now See More Trending Words

Definition of yawning

1 : wide open : cavernous
  • a yawning hole
  • yawning gaps in the plot
2 : showing fatigue or boredom by yawns
  • a yawning audience
—

yawningly

play \ˈyȯ-niŋ-lē\ adverb

See yawning defined for English-language learners

First Known Use of yawning

before 12th century

in the meaning defined at sense 1

See Words from the same year
NEW! Time Traveler

YAWNING Defined for English Language Learners

yawning

adjective

Definition of yawning for English Language Learners

  • : very large or wide open

Learn More about yawning

  1. Nglish: Translation of yawning for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of yawning for Arabic speakers Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about yawning

Seen and Heard

What made you want to look up yawning? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).

show hide

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

WORD OF THE DAY

cathexis

play

investment of mental or emotional energy

Get Word of the Day daily email!

TRENDING NOW

  1. charlatan 'faker or fraud'

  2. lowlife 'a person of low moral character'

  3. kakistocracy 'government by the worst people'

  4. slimeball 'a morally repulsive or odious person'

  5. salacious 'arousing or appealing to sexual desire'

SEE ALL

BROWSE DICTIONARY

yawning

Test Your Vocabulary

Odd Habits and Quirks Quiz

  • image1926873504
  • Which of the following best describes an easily irritated person?
Name That Thing

Test your visual vocabulary with our 10-question challenge!

TAKE THE QUIZ
SCRABBLE® Sprint

Test Your Knowledge - and learn some interesting things along the way.

TAKE THE QUIZ

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Words at Play

alt-5ade0f1ca7a0c
'Complement' vs. 'Compliment'

The distinction is clear (now).

image236659401
Words from Letters in the Greek Alphabet

When English borrows from another alphabet

alt-5ada140ed3e28
'Preventive' or 'Preventative'?

Why not both?

alt-5ad8fc71357ed
Words We're Watching: 'Bluebeard,' the Verb

No, it's not a coiffure trend

Ask the Editors

image1760257654
2017 Word of the Year: Behind the Scenes

How we chose 'feminism'

video-title-words-of-the-year-1066
Words of the Year: 1066

Or, Why Pig Meat is Called 'Pork' and Cow Meat is Called 'Beef'

video-literally
Literally

How to use a word that (literally) drives some people nuts.

video-his-or-her
Is Singular 'They' a Better Choice?

The awkward case of 'his or her'

Word Games

image1926873504
Odd Habits and Quirks Quiz

Test your knowledge of strange human behaviors.

Take the quiz
cats-on-impossible-timber
More Confusing Words—Quiz

How many of these commonly confused words do you know?

Take the quiz
Name That Thing
Name That Thing

Test your visual vocabulary with our 10-question challenge!

Take the quiz
SCRABBLE® Sprint
SCRABBLE® Sprint

SCRABBLE® fans, sharpen your skills!

Play the game