yawn

Everyday

1. To yawn means to open your mouth very wide and breathe in deeply, usually because you are tired or bored. tree →
2. A yawn is the act of yawning. tree →
3. Something boring can be called «a yawn». tree →
4. A yawning gap or hole is very wide and open. tree →

In the lessons

In science, yawning is a reflex; it is catching (contagious): seeing someone yawn often makes you yawn too, even dogs. In everyday manners, cover your mouth when you yawn. In stories a yawn shows a character is tired or bored. Phrases: «stifle a yawn», «a yawning gap», «what a yawn».

Examples

• I yawned all through the long film. tree →
• Cover your mouth when you yawn. tree →
• When Dad yawned, we all started yawning. tree →
• The baby gave a big yawn and fell asleep. tree →
• She tried to stifle a yawn in assembly. tree →
• The cat yawned and showed its sharp teeth. tree →
• That boring speech was a real yawn. tree →
• A yawning hole opened in the road after the flood. tree →
• Then the little Tsar rose upon his feet, stretched himself, and yawned. tree →

Note

Regular verb: «yawned». Pronounced YAWN (rhymes with «dawn»). Yawning is not always about sleepiness; it can happen with boredom, nerves or seeing others yawn.