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Definition of gape verb from the Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary

gape

verb
 
/ɡeɪp/
 
/ɡeɪp/
Verb Forms
present simple I / you / we / they gape
 
/ɡeɪp/
 
/ɡeɪp/
he / she / it gapes
 
/ɡeɪps/
 
/ɡeɪps/
past simple gaped
 
/ɡeɪpt/
 
/ɡeɪpt/
past participle gaped
 
/ɡeɪpt/
 
/ɡeɪpt/
-ing form gaping
 
/ˈɡeɪpɪŋ/
 
/ˈɡeɪpɪŋ/
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  1. [intransitive] gape (at somebody/something) to stare at somebody/something with your mouth open because you are shocked or surprised
    • Isabel gaped at him, horrified.
    • Frank gaped. He couldn’t believe what he was seeing.
    • What are you gaping at?
    Oxford Collocations Dictionaryadverb
    • openly
    • slightly
    preposition
    • at
    phrases
    • gape open
    See full entry
  2. [intransitive] to be or become wide open
    • a gaping hole/mouth/wound
    • A huge chasm gaped before them.
    • gape open He stood yawning, his pyjama jacket gaping open.
    • The empty cash box lay gaping open in one corner.
    Oxford Collocations Dictionaryadverb
    • openly
    • slightly
    preposition
    • at
    phrases
    • gape open
    See full entry
  3. Word OriginMiddle English: from Old Norse gapa; related to gap.
See gape in the Oxford Advanced American Dictionary

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