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YAWNING

Pronunciation (US):

• YAWNING (noun)
The noun YAWNING has 1 sense:

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

Familiarity information: YAWNING used as a noun is very rare.

• YAWNING (adjective)
The adjective YAWNING has 3 senses:

1. gaping open as if threatening to engulf someone or something
2. with the mouth wide open indicating boredom or sleepiness
3. showing lack of attention or boredom

Familiarity information: YAWNING used as an adjective is uncommon.

• YAWNING (noun)

Sense 1

yawning ^{[BACK TO TOP]}

Meaning:

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

Classified under:

Nouns denoting acts or actions

Synonyms:

yawn; yawning; oscitance; oscitancy

Context examples:

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

Hypernyms ("yawning" is a kind of...):

inborn reflex; innate reflex; instinctive reflex; physiological reaction; reflex; unconditioned reflex (an automatic instinctive unlearned reaction to a stimulus)

Hyponyms (each of the following is a kind of "yawning"):

pandiculation (yawning and stretching (as when first waking up))

• YAWNING (adjective)

Sense 1

yawning ^{[BACK TO TOP]}

Meaning:

Gaping open as if threatening to engulf someone or something

Context examples:

the yawning mine shaft / a yawning abyss

Similar:

open (affording free passage or access)

Sense 2

yawning ^{[BACK TO TOP]}

Meaning:

With the mouth wide open indicating boredom or sleepiness

Context example:

a yawning congregation

Similar:

open; opened (used of mouth or eyes)

Sense 3

yawning ^{[BACK TO TOP]}

Meaning:

Showing lack of attention or boredom

Synonyms:

oscitant; drowsy; yawning

Context example:

the yawning congregation

Similar:

inattentive (showing a lack of attention or care)

"A word spoken is past recalling."
(English proverb)
"Those who have one foot in the canoe, and one foot in the boat, are going to fall into the river."
(Native American proverb, Tuscarora)
"Never speak ill of the dead."
(Arabic proverb)
"The most beautiful laughter comes from the mouth of a mourner."
(Corsican proverb)

Useful links:
What does reflex mean?
inattentive definition
What does unconditioned reflex mean?
open definition
What does inborn reflex mean?

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