Meaning

(intransitive) To open the mouth widely and take a long, rather deep breath, often because one is tired or bored, and sometimes accompanied by pandiculation..

Definitions by Sense

1. (intransitive) To open the mouth widely and take a long, rather deep breath, often because one is tired or bored, and sometimes accompanied by pandiculation.
2. To say while yawning.
3. To present a wide opening; gape.
4. (obsolete) To open the mouth, or to gape, through surprise or bewilderment.
5. (obsolete) To be eager; to desire to swallow anything; to express desire by yawning.
6. The action of yawning; opening the mouth widely and taking a long, rather deep breath, often because one is tired or bored.
7. (colloquial) A particularly boring event.

Example Sentences

I could see my students yawning, so I knew the lesson was boring them.

c. 1773, John Trumbull, The Progress of Dulness, Exeter, New Hampshire: Henry Ranlet, 1794, Part 1, p. 19, And while above he spends his breath, The yawning audience nod beneath.

[…] I found my self towards Evening, first empty and sickish at my Stomach, and nearer Night mightily enclin’d to yawning and sleepy […]

“I haven’t the least idea what I want to do,” he yawned.

“Oh,” Sutherland yawned, “I’m too old for this.”

The canyon yawns as it has done for millions of years, and we stand looking, dumbstruck.

Death yawned before us, and I hit the brakes.

’Tis now the very witching time of night, When churchyards yawn, and hell itself breathes out Contagion to this world.

Word Forms

• yawns
• yawning
• yawned

Synonyms for yawn

Related Words

When Should You Use Yawn?

Use yawn when its meaning, tone and grammar fit the full sentence. A synonym is not always a direct replacement.

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