Standard Lemma guide

yawning

adj · noun · verb · 7 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot

Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.

Sound

Pronunciation

Each Play button uses your device's default local English voice, or a natural local fallback. The selected voice name appears after playback. This is synthesized speech, not a source recording.

  • /ˈjɔːnɪŋ/
  • US: Recorded audio is listed in the source snapshot.
  • rhymes with -ɔːnɪŋ
  • CMU ARPABET: Y AO1 N IH0 NG Digits mark lexical stress: 1 primary, 2 secondary, 0 unstressed.

1

adj

Meaning 1

That yawns or yawn.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Examples

  • yawning commuters

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

2

adj

Meaning 2

Wide open.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: figuratively

Examples

  • a yawning chasm; the shark's yawning jaws

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

3

noun

Meaning 3

The action of the verb yawn.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: countable, uncountable

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

4

verb

Meaning 4

present participle and gerund of yawn

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: form-of, gerund, participle, present

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

5

adjective satellite

Meaning 5

gaping open as if threatening to engulf someone or something

Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0

Examples

  • the yawning mine shaft
  • a yawning abyss

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

6

adjective satellite

Meaning 6

with the mouth wide open indicating boredom or sleepiness

Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0

Examples

  • a yawning congregation

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

7

noun

Meaning 7

an involuntary intake of breath through a wide open mouth; usually triggered by fatigue or boredom

Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0

Examples

  • he could not suppress a yawn
  • the yawning in the audience told him it was time to stop
  • he apologized for his oscitancy

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: yawn, oscitance, oscitancy

Antonyms: none provided

Broader terms: reflex, reflex response, reflex action, instinctive reflex, innate reflex, inborn reflex, unconditioned reflex, physiological reaction

Narrower terms: pandiculation

History

Etymology

No etymology was provided for this word.

Across languages

Translations

6 source translations are retained for this English entry.

  • Italian: sbadiglio — that yawns or yawn
  • Russian: зева́ющий (zevájuščij) — that yawns or yawn
  • Slovak: zívajúci — that yawns or yawn
  • Ancient Greek: ἀχανής (akhanḗs) — wide open
  • Italian: enorme — wide open
  • Russian: зия́ющий (zijájuščij) — wide open