Gaping
'ɡeɪpɪŋ
Definitions
2 meaningsTo open widely, especially the mouth or a hole.
'ɡeɪp
To be or become wide open
The lion gaped its jaws, ready to eat.
💡 Simply: Imagine your jaw dropping when you see something amazing – that's a 'gape'. It’s like when a big hole opens up in the ground, or when someone is staring at something with their mouth open because they’re shocked or amazed.
👶 For kids: To open your mouth really wide, like when you are surprised!
More Examples
A large hole gaped in the road after the earthquake.
The audience gaped in amazement at the magician's trick.
How It's Used
"The chasm gaped before the hikers."
"The wound gaped, a dark and ominous threat."
Wide open; used to describe an opening, hole, or wound.
'ɡeɪpɪŋ
Wide open
The gaping hole in the fence allowed the dogs to escape.
💡 Simply: Think of something super wide open, like a big crack in the wall or a really big cut that you can see right into. It's the adjective way of saying 'open' in a more dramatic or descriptive way.
👶 For kids: Wide open, like a big mouth or a big hole.
More Examples
The car sustained a gaping dent in the side after the collision.
She stared with gaping eyes, shocked by the news.
How It's Used
"A gaping wound needed immediate attention."
"The gaping void offered no comfort."
From Middle English *gapen*, from Old English *gāp(i)an* 'to gape'. The word's evolution reflects actions of opening wide or staring open-mouthed, and from it, the concept of being wide open.
Used since the Middle Ages, with examples in religious and literary texts to describe various openings and emotional states.
Memory tip
Think of a large mouth or hole; the image helps connect to the 'open' aspect.
Word Origin
"to open the mouth; to stare"