gaping - Meaning, Image, Examples & Etymology - Learn English Visually

gaping

|gap-ing|

/ˈɡeɪ.pɪŋ/

(gape)

wide open

Base Form	Present	3rd Person Sing.	Past	Past Participle	Present Participle
gape	gapes	gapes	gaped	gaped	gaping

Etymology

Etymology Information

'gaping' originates from the Old Norse word 'gapa', where 'gapa' meant 'to open the mouth wide'.

Historical Evolution

'gapa' transformed into the Middle English word 'gapen', and eventually became the modern English word 'gape'.

Meaning Changes

Initially, it meant 'to open the mouth wide', but over time it evolved into its current meaning of 'wide open or very large'.

Meanings by Part of Speech

Verb 1

present participle of 'gape'.

The crowd was gaping at the magician's tricks.

Synonyms

Antonyms

Adjective 1

wide open or very large.

The gaping hole in the wall was hard to miss.

Synonyms

Antonyms

Examples

Idioms

Last updated: 2025/01/11 11:45