gape Definition
- 1to stare with an open mouth, as in wonder or surprise
- 2to open the mouth wide, especially involuntarily, as the result of hunger, sleepiness, or absorbed attention
Using gape: Examples
Take a moment to familiarize yourself with how "gape" can be used in various situations through the following examples!
Example
The tourists gaped at the ancient ruins in awe.
Example
He gaped in amazement when he saw the magician pull a rabbit out of his hat.
Example
The child gaped at the candy store display.
Example
She gaped at him, unable to believe what she was hearing.
gape Synonyms and Antonyms
Idioms Using gape
Example
He just stood there, gawking and gaping like a fish.
to lie on one's back and stare at the ceiling, often due to boredom or lack of motivation
Example
I spent the whole afternoon just gaping at the ceiling, unable to focus on anything.
gape-mouthed
having the mouth open wide, especially in surprise or shock
Example
The gape-mouthed crowd watched in horror as the building collapsed.
Phrases with gape
Example
He stood there, mouth agape, as the car drove off without him.
to stare at someone or something with an open mouth, usually because you are surprised or shocked
Example
The audience gaped at the acrobat's daring performance.
Example
The earthquake left a gaping hole in the road.
Origins of gape
from Old Norse 'gap', meaning 'an open mouth'
Summary: gape in Brief
The verb 'gape' [geɪp] means to stare with an open mouth, often in wonder or surprise, or to involuntarily open the mouth wide. It can be used to describe reactions to various stimuli, from ancient ruins to magic tricks. Phrases like 'mouth agape' and idioms like 'gape like a fish' emphasize the open-mouthed aspect of the verb.
