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HOW TO PRONOUNCE

yawn

/jɔn/

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American Pronunciation Guide · 0:47
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What does yawn mean?

verb

  1. To open the mouth widely and take a long, rather deep breath, often because one is tired or bored, and sometimes accompanied by pandiculation.
  2. To say while yawning.
  3. To present a wide opening; gape.
More meanings (5)

noun

  1. The action of yawning; opening the mouth widely and taking a long, rather deep breath, often because one is tired or bored.
  2. A particularly boring event.

proper noun

  1. A surname.

verb

  1. (obsolete) To open the mouth, or to gape, through surprise or bewilderment.
  2. (obsolete) To be eager; to desire to swallow anything; to express desire by yawning.

Definitions regrouped for readability · CC BY-SA 4.0

IPA pronunciation

/jɔn/

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary

Pronunciation varies by speaker and region. About these dictionary pronunciations.

In the pages of books

See this word in context.

“Zounds, my dear fellow,” he added, smothering a slight yawn, “did you ever see such a beastly day? Demmed climate this.”
Emmuska Orczy, Baroness OrczyThe Scarlet PimpernelProject Gutenberg ebook #60
Methinks it should be now a huge eclipse Of sun and moon, and that the affrighted globe Should yawn at alteration.
William ShakespeareThe Complete Works of William ShakespeareProject Gutenberg ebook #100
More book examples (3)
“No, sir. Not much,” he assented, sleepily, in his hoarse voice, with just enough deference, no more, and barely suppressing a yawn.
Joseph ConradThe Secret SharerProject Gutenberg ebook #220
He is not deterred by the gulphs that yawn beneath his feet, or the mountains that may oppose themselves to his progress.
William GodwinThoughts on Man, His Nature, Productions and Discoveries Interspersed with Some Particulars Respecting the AuthorProject Gutenberg ebook #743
The spectacle of a yawn, only fractionally concealed behind those talented fingers, chilled his soft speech, and sent a flush over his face.
Harold FredericThe Damnation of Theron WareProject Gutenberg ebook #133