noun

yap

Yap (noun) means a high-pitched bark from a small dog. Example: “The neighbour's terrier let out a sharp yap every time the doorbell rang.”

noun

A high-pitched bark from a small dog.

"The neighbour's terrier let out a sharp yap every time the doorbell rang."

Casual, often pointless chatter.

"She tuned out the yap from the next table and got back to her book."

verb

To bark in short, high-pitched bursts, said of a small dog.

"The little dog yapped at every car that passed the gate."

To talk on and on, especially about nothing important.

"He yapped about his weekend for twenty minutes before anyone could get a word in."

How to use yap

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishA quick, sharp bark, or talking too much — usually about small dogs or chatty people.

When to use it

Informal; calling someone's talk "yap" or "yapping" is a bit dismissive.

Common pairings

a little yap yap on about something stop yapping

Word forms

yapped past tense, yaps plural, yaps singular

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The neighbour's terrier let out a sharp _____ every time the doorbell rang.

Etymology

Likely imitative of the sound itself, echoing the related word "yelp."

Synonyms

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Related words

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Frequently asked questions

What does “yap” mean?

The word “yap” means a high-pitched bark from a small dog. In plain terms, a quick, sharp bark, or talking too much — usually about small dogs or chatty people.

How do you pronounce “yap”?

“Yap” is pronounced yap (/jæp/ in IPA).

How do you use “yap” in a sentence?

Here is “yap” used in a sentence: “The neighbour's terrier let out a sharp yap every time the doorbell rang.”

What part of speech is “yap”?

Depending on how it is used, “yap” can be a noun and a verb.

How many meanings does “yap” have?

“Yap” has 4 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a high-pitched bark from a small dog.

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