[
UK
/jˈɔːnɪŋ/
]
[ US /ˈjɔnɪŋ/ ]
[ US /ˈjɔnɪŋ/ ]
ADJECTIVE
-
gaping open as if threatening to engulf someone or something
a yawning abyss
the yawning mine shaft -
showing lack of attention or boredom
the yawning congregation -
with the mouth wide open indicating boredom or sleepiness
a yawning congregation
NOUN
-
an involuntary intake of breath through a wide open mouth; usually triggered by fatigue or boredom
he apologized for his oscitancy
the yawning in the audience told him it was time to stop
he could not suppress a yawn
How To Use yawning In A Sentence
- Everyone I've seen in London today has got bleary eyes, and is yawning.
- It is claimed, probably incorrectly, that in social environments yawning and weariness are due to an accumulation of carbon dioxide.
- You will be able to see where the yawning gaps are up ahead. Life Without Work
- Do you gaze glassy-eyed at the television, and find yourself yawning at the radio news? Times, Sunday Times
- I was waiting in the twilight semi-darkness, yawning, eyes half closed, and basically looking like a zombie.
- I can't stop yawning - I must be tired.
- But there is a yawning gap in timing between what he would love to happen tomorrow and what is still the case. Times, Sunday Times
- That fanned fears that decisive action may be less likely to address the yawning budget deficit. Times, Sunday Times
- Above Muir, you'll wend past yawning crevasses along the Cowlitz Glacier, tiptoe over snow bridges on the Ingraham Glacier, and duck past the giant seracs of the Ingraham Icefall.
- Employers have paid 44 billion in contributions in the past three years in an attempt to narrow their yawning deficits, but to little avail. Times, Sunday Times
