yawn
word
Definition
To open your mouth wide and take a deep breath, usually when you are tired, sleepy, or bored.
Usage & Nuances
'Yawn' is both a verb ('to yawn') and a noun ('a yawn'). It's usually used in informal and neutral contexts. You can say 'fight a yawn' or 'stifle a yawn'. People often 'catch' yawns from others—it can be contagious.
Spanish: bostezarPortuguese (BR): bocejarPortuguese (PT): bocejarChinese (Simplified): 打哈欠Chinese (Traditional): 打呵欠Hindi: जंभाई लेनाArabic: يتثاءبBengali: হাই তোলাRussian: зевать - зевотаJapanese: あくびVietnamese: ngápKorean: 하품하다 - 하품Turkish: esnemek - esnemeUrdu: جمائی لیناIndonesian: menguap
Example Sentences
He started to yawn during the movie.
basic
It's polite to cover your mouth when you yawn.
basic
I always yawn when someone else does—it’s contagious!
natural
She tried to yawn quietly during the meeting so nobody would notice.
natural
Why do people yawn when they're not tired?
basic
Sorry, listening to this lecture makes me yawn nonstop.
natural