yawn
Yawn (verb) means to open the mouth wide and take a deep breath involuntarily, usually from tiredness or boredom. Example: “She tried to stifle a yawn during the long meeting.”
How to use yawn
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishThe wide-mouthed deep breath you take when tired or bored, or (informally) something dull enough to cause one.
Word forms
yawned past tense, yawns plural, Yawns plural, yawns singular
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
She tried to stifle a _____ during the long meeting.
Etymology
From Old English ġinian and gānian, both meaning "to gape or yawn," tracing back to a very old Indo-European root for opening the mouth wide.
Synonyms
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Frequently asked questions
What does “yawn” mean?
The word “yawn” means to open the mouth wide and take a deep breath involuntarily, usually from tiredness or boredom. In plain terms, the wide-mouthed deep breath you take when tired or bored, or (informally) something dull enough to cause one.
How do you pronounce “yawn”?
“Yawn” is pronounced yawn (/jɔn/ in IPA).
How do you use “yawn” in a sentence?
Here is “yawn” used in a sentence: “She tried to stifle a yawn during the long meeting.”
What part of speech is “yawn”?
Depending on how it is used, “yawn” can be a verb and a noun.
Where does the word “yawn” come from?
The word “yawn” comes from Old English. From Old English ġinian and gānian, both meaning "to gape or yawn," tracing back to a very old Indo-European root for opening the mouth wide.
How many meanings does “yawn” have?
“Yawn” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: to open the mouth wide and take a deep breath involuntarily, usually from tiredness or boredom.
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