adj
yawning
YAW-nihng
Yawning (adj) means Wide open, like a gaping mouth. Example: “A yawning chasm opened up in front of the hikers.”
adj
1
Wide open, like a gaping mouth.
"a yawning chasm; the shark's yawning jaws"
"A yawning chasm opened up in front of the hikers."
"That experience really taught me something. That deep down inside, I am broken, and that I'm using work to plaster over some yawning gap within myself."
— Gil Schwartz, Escape from the job monster (2007)
noun
1
The act of opening the mouth wide and breathing deeply from tiredness or boredom.
"Constant yawning was the only sign he was exhausted."
How to use yawning
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishEither the ongoing act of yawning, or (as an adjective) something wide and gaping.
Common pairings
a yawning gap
yawning chasm
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Word forms
- Plural
- yawnings
- Comparative
- more yawning
- Superlative
- most yawning
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
A _____ chasm opened up in front of the hikers.
Related words
Rhymes for yawning
See all rhymes for yawning →Frequently asked questions
What does “yawning” mean?
The word “yawning” means wide open, like a gaping mouth. In plain terms, either the ongoing act of yawning, or (as an adjective) something wide and gaping.
How do you pronounce “yawning”?
“Yawning” is pronounced YAW-nihng (/ˈjɔːnɪŋ/ in IPA).
How do you use “yawning” in a sentence?
Here is “yawning” used in a sentence: “A yawning chasm opened up in front of the hikers.”
What part of speech is “yawning”?
Depending on how it is used, “yawning” can be an adjective and a noun.
How many meanings does “yawning” have?
“Yawning” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: wide open, like a gaping mouth.
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