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Gape: meaning, definitions and examples

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gape

 

[ ɡeɪp ]

Verb / Noun
Context #1 | Verb

mouth wide open

To stare with one's mouth wide open, typically because one is surprised or awestruck. It can also mean to open the mouth wide, especially involuntarily, because one is tired or bored.

Synonyms

gawk, gaze, stare

Examples of usage

  • She gaped at the amazing view from the top of the mountain.
  • The child gaped in wonder at the magician's tricks.
  • The tired student yawned and gaped during the boring lecture.
Context #2 | Noun

opening

An opening or space, especially a wide one.

Synonyms

gap, opening, space

Examples of usage

  • The gape in the fence allowed the dog to escape.
  • The bird caught the fish in its gaping mouth.

Translations

Translations of the word "gape" in other languages:

🇵🇹 bocejar

🇮🇳 हक्का-बक्का रह जाना

🇩🇪 glotzen

🇮🇩 ternganga

🇺🇦 витріщатися

🇵🇱 gapić się

🇯🇵 ぽかんとする (pokanto suru)

🇫🇷 bâiller

🇪🇸 boquiabierto

🇹🇷 ağzı açık kalmak

🇰🇷 입을 벌리다 (ipeul beollida)

🇸🇦 يتثاءب (yatathaa'ab)

🇨🇿 zírat

🇸🇰 zízať

🇨🇳 张口 (zhāng kǒu)

🇸🇮 strmeti

🇮🇸 glápa

🇰🇿 қайран қалу

🇬🇪 გაშტერება (gashtereba)

🇦🇿 ağzı açıq qalmaq

🇲🇽 boquiabierto

Etymology

The word 'gape' originated from the Old English word 'gapan', which means 'to open the mouth widely'. Over time, the meaning of 'gape' has expanded to include not only the physical act of opening the mouth wide, but also the act of staring with one's mouth open in surprise or wonder. The word has been used in English literature for centuries to convey a sense of astonishment or amazement.

Word Frequency Rank

Positioned at #24,648, this word is part of extensive vocabulary. It's relatively rare in general usage but may be important in specific fields or formal writing.