yawning
/ˈjɔː.nɪŋ/ (bre, ipa) · [jˈɔnɪŋ] /ˈjɑː.nɪŋ/ (ame, ipa) · [jˈɔnɪŋ] /ˈyȯ-niŋ How to pronounce yawning (audio)/ (ame, mw)
yawning — adjective
- yawningpositive
- more yawningcomparative
- most yawningsuperlative
1. describing a gap, shortage, or other amount that feels enormously wide and unlik
describing a gap, shortage, or other amount that feels enormously wide and unlikely to shrink soon
The yawning gap between rents and wages pushed Wei back to the family flat.
collocation: yawning gap between two amounts
A yawning budget hole left Kian's clinic without enough nurses on weekends.
pattern: yawning + budget hole
The report showed a yawning divide between city schools and village schools.
After the storm, a yawning shortage of clean water hit Lakan's island town.
Even with scholarships, a yawning price difference kept Imani from the course.
- huge
general and everyday, without the idea that the gap is hard to reduce
- wide
can describe a difference, but sounds less dramatic than yawning
- massive
emphasizes size strongly, though it does not always suggest separation
- gaping
very close in figurative use, but often feels slightly more vivid or literary
文法句型
a yawning gap / divide / disparity
a yawning deficit / shortage
用法筆記
Usually modifies abstract nouns such as gap, divide, deficit, or shortage in formal or journalistic writing. It suggests the difference is not only very large, but also difficult to close quickly.
常見錯誤
2. describing a hole, crack, doorway, or other opening that stretches strikingly wi
describing a hole, crack, doorway, or other opening that stretches strikingly wide in front of you
Rescue workers tied a rope beside the yawning crack in the bridge.
collocation: yawning crack
From the path, we could see a yawning cave mouth above the pines.
collocation: yawning cave mouth
The old warehouse stood with a yawning doorway facing the empty yard.
A yawning hole opened in the road after the water pipe burst.
The hikers stopped at the edge of a yawning ravine filled with mist.
文法句型
a yawning hole / crack
a yawning cave mouth / doorway
用法筆記
Most often used for holes, cracks, doorways, cave mouths, or ravines that look dramatically open. It often adds a slight sense of danger or emptiness, not just simple width.
常見錯誤
3. looking tired, bored, or unfocused because of repeated big yawns
looking tired, bored, or unfocused because of repeated big yawns
A yawning Aarav slumped over his workbook during the last bus ride home.
pattern: yawning + person
The speaker glanced at the yawning crowd and shortened the slide show.
collocation: yawning crowd
After lunch, a yawning class stared at the map on the wall.
The nurse carried the yawning toddler from the waiting room to the car.
Under the dim lamp, a yawning guard missed the start of the news clip.
- sleepy
general and everyday, without specifically showing the person is yawning
- drowsy
slightly more formal, focusing on a heavy feeling of sleep
- bored
focuses on lack of interest rather than physical tiredness
- inattentive
emphasizes poor attention, not the visible act of yawning
文法句型
a yawning child / toddler
a yawning crowd / class / guard
用法筆記
Usually modifies a person or group in a slow, tiring, or uninteresting situation. It describes visible yawns or a sleepy, inattentive look rather than simple silence.