gape
C2Somewhat literary or descriptive; neutral in ornithology.
Definition
Meaning
To open the mouth wide, typically in surprise, wonder, or lack of understanding.
To stare with an open mouth; to be or become wide open. Also refers to a wide opening or breach, and in ornithology, describes the width of a bird's open beak.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
Often implies a degree of rudeness, ignorance, or simple-minded astonishment. Connotes a lack of mental engagement or sophistication. The noun 'gape' (an open-mouthed stare) is less common than the verb.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant differences in meaning or usage. Both use the term similarly.
Connotations
Slightly old-fashioned or rustic in both varieties. The noun form is rare in casual speech.
Frequency
Equally low-frequency in both varieties. More likely found in writing than spontaneous speech.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
[Sb] gape[Sb] gape at [sth/sb][Sb] gape in/open-mouthed [noun (e.g., astonishment)][sth] gapes open/wideVocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “gape-jawed (adjective, very informal)”
- “gape-seed (archaic, something astonishing)”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Virtually never used. Might appear in hyperbolic descriptions of a surprised audience: 'The board gaped at the projected losses.'
Academic
Used in literary analysis or descriptive anthropology/zoology (e.g., describing a character's reaction or the gape of a bird's beak).
Everyday
Used for dramatic effect, often humorously: 'We just gaped at the mess in the kitchen.'
Technical
Primarily in ornithology/zoology: 'The nestling's gape is lined with bright colours to stimulate feeding.'
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- The tourists gaped at the Crown Jewels in the Tower.
- A deep chasm gaped before the climbers.
American English
- The kids gaped at the huge dinosaur skeleton.
- The hole in the roof gaped open after the storm.
adverb
British English
- He stared gapingly at the spectacle.
American English
- She looked at him gapingly, unable to form words.
adjective
British English
- The gape-jawed expression on his face was priceless.
American English
- She stood there with a gape-mouthed look of shock.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- The baby gapes when he is tired.
- We all gaped at the amazing magic trick.
- Visitors to the canyon often gape in awe at its immense scale.
- The politician's blatant hypocrisy left the journalists gaping in disbelief.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a wide-open GATE for your mouth – the 'g' from gate and the shape from the 'ape' in gape. An ape might gape in confusion.
Conceptual Metaphor
SURPRISE/IGNORANCE IS AN OPEN CONTAINER (The mouth, representing the mind, is open and empty).
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Do not confuse with 'gape' as a noun for 'yawn' (зевота). Russian 'зевáть' means 'to yawn', not 'to stare open-mouthed'.
- The verb 'глазеть' (to gawk) is a closer match for the rudeness connotation than 'смотреть' (to look).
Common Mistakes
- Using 'gape' to mean simply 'look' without the connotation of an open mouth or astonishment.
- Confusing it with 'gape' as a noun for 'a wide opening' (e.g., 'a gape in the fence'), which is correct but less common.
Practice
Quiz
In which context is the word 'gape' most appropriately used?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Not inherently rude, but it often describes rude or foolish staring. To say someone is 'gaping' can be mildly insulting, implying they are simple or uncultured.
'Gape' specifically involves an open mouth due to surprise. 'Gawk' implies clumsy, open-mouthed staring and is more negative. 'Stare' is more neutral, just looking fixedly.
Yes. Objects can 'gape open' (e.g., a hole, a wound, a cave entrance), meaning they are wide open.
No, the noun is rare in everyday language. It's mainly used in technical contexts (like ornithology) or in literary descriptions of a wide opening.