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

Wide open, like a gaping mouth.

"A yawning chasm opened up in front of the hikers."

noun

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 notes

In plain EnglishEither the ongoing act of yawning, or (as an adjective) something wide and gaping.

Common pairings

a yawning gap yawning chasm

Word forms

more yawning comparative, yawnings plural, most yawning superlative

Study it as flashcards or scroll it in Flow — saved to your collection.

Test yourself on “yawning” A quick quiz — meaning, synonyms & usage →

Fill the gap

Can you complete this real example?

A _____ chasm opened up in front of the hikers.

Synonyms

View more →

yawn oscitance oscitancy

Related words

bore oscitancy yawn burp yaw gape

Rhymes for yawning

awning dawning fawning spawning

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.

Featured in

Vocabulary lists that include yawning:

Words that start with Y

People also searched

bore oscitancy yawn burp yaw gape