gape

UK: /ˈgeɪp/ US: /geɪp, gæp/ ,(gāp, gap)

Inflections of 'gape' (v): (⇒ conjugate)

gapes

v 3rd person singular

gaping

v pres p

gaped

v past

gaped

v past p

WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2026

gape /geɪp, gæp/   v., gaped/geɪpt, gæpt/  gap•ing. 

1. to stare with the mouth wide open, as in shock, wonder, or surprise:
   [~ + at + object] The tourists gaped at the tall buildings.
2. to open or spread widely;
   split:
   [no object] The canyon gaped before them.

gap•ing, adj. [before a noun]

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2026

gape  (gāp, gap), v., gaped, gap•ing, n. 
v.i. 

1. to stare with open mouth, as in wonder.
2. to open the mouth wide involuntarily, as the result of hunger, sleepiness, or absorbed attention.
3. to open as a gap;
   split or become open wide.

n. 

4. a wide opening;
   gap;
   breach.
5. an act or instance of gaping.
6. a stare, as in astonishment or with the mouth wide open.
7. a yawn.
8. [Zool.] the width of the open mouth.

• Old Norse gapa to open the mouth wide; compare German gaffen
• Middle English 1175–1225

gap′ing•ly, adv. 
Synonyms

• 1. See gaze. 
• 2, 3. yawn.

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

gape / ɡeɪp/ verb (intransitive)

1. to stare in wonder or amazement, esp with the mouth open
2. to open the mouth wide, esp involuntarily, as in yawning or hunger
3. to be or become wide open: the crater gaped under his feet

noun

1. the act of gaping
2. a wide opening; breach
3. the width of the widely opened mouth of a vertebrate
4. a stare or expression of astonishment

Etymology: 13th Century: from Old Norse gapa; related to Middle Dutch gapen, Danish gabe

ˈgapy adjective