Meaning of yawn in English

Table of contents
  1. Pronunciation
  2. Verb
    1. Etymology
    2. Definitions
  3. Noun
    1. Definitions

  1. Pronunciation

    /jɔn/

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  1. Verb

    yawn

    Etymology

    Old English geonian, of Germanic origin, from an Indo-European root shared by Latin hiare and Greek khainein. Current noun senses date from the early 18th century

    Definitions

    1. utter a yawn, as from lack of oxygen or when one is tired

    Examples

    • « The child yawned during the long performance »

    Derived terms

  2. 2. be wide open

    Examples

    • « the deep gaping canyon »

  3. Noun

    yawn

    Definitions

    1. an involuntary intake of breath through a wide open mouth

    Examples

    • « usually triggered by fatigue or boredom »
    • « he could not suppress a yawn »
    • « the yawning in the audience told him it was time to stop »
    • « he apologized for his ostinancy »

Famous quotes

  • « I found it interesting that as people become more technically oriented all over the world, at the same time people are becoming increasingly spiritual. The success of the Da Vinci code - even though it was a great yawn - also showed people's interest in religion. »
    Barbara Walters
  • « A new idea is delicate. It can be killed by a sneer or a yawn it can be stabbed to death by a quip and worried to death by a frown on the right man's brow. »
    Ovid

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