How Do You Spell GAPE?

Pronunciation: [ɡˈe͡ɪp] (IPA)

The word "gape" is spelled with the letters G-A-P-E. In IPA phonetic transcription, it is pronounced as /ɡeɪp/. The sound represented by the letter G is a voiced velar stop, which involves stopping the airflow using the back of the tongue and the velum. The letter A represents the vowel sound /eɪ/, which is a diphthong of the vowels E and A. Lastly, the letter E at the end is typically silent, but it alters the pronunciation of the vowel sound to indicate a long vowel.

GAPE Meaning and Definition

  1. Gape is a verb that refers to the act of opening one's mouth widely and staring in amazement, surprise, or wonder. It involves parting the lips or mouth intentionally to reveal a wide opening, often accompanied by widening of the eyes. Observing something with astonishment or disbelief is often associated with this action. Gaping can also suggest a sense of awe or admiration towards something captivating or extraordinary.

    While gape is typically used to describe the act of opening one's mouth wide, it can also be used metaphorically to denote a similar expression of surprise, astonishment, or wonder without literally parting the lips. The word may also describe a physical opening or gap, such as an open mouth or a separation between two objects or surfaces.

    Furthermore, gape can be employed to describe the action of staring continuously at something, often suggesting a lack of awareness of one's surroundings due to rapt attention or intense fascination. It can imply a state of being engrossed and absorbed by a particular sight, person, or event. This intense focus often occurs in situations that are unexpected, unusual, or extraordinary. In summary, gape reflects the act of widely opening one's mouth, staring in astonishment or admiration, and fixating on something extraordinary or fascinating.

  2. • To open the mouth wide, as from drowsiness or dullness; to yawn; to open, as a crevice.
    • A gaping; a yawn; the opening between the mandibles of birds.

    Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.

Common Misspellings for GAPE

Etymology of GAPE

The word "gape" originated from the Old Norse word "gap" which means "chasm" or "hole". It was then assimilated into Middle English as "gapen", meaning "to open the mouth wide" or "to yawn". Over time, the spelling and pronunciation evolved into the modern English word "gape", maintaining its core meaning of opening the mouth wide, but also broadening to include ideas of astonishment, wonder, or being open-mouthed in general.

Idioms with the word GAPE

  • gape at sm or sth The idiom "gape at someone or something" means to stare at someone or something with one's mouth wide open in amazement or surprise.
  • gape at someone or something The idiom "gape at someone or something" means to stare at someone or something with one's mouth open wide in astonishment, surprise, or disbelief. It implies a state of being completely and visibly shocked or amazed.

Similar spelling words for GAPE

Conjugate verb Gape

CONDITIONAL

I would gape
you would gape
he/she/it would gape
we would gape
they would gape

CONDITIONAL CONTINUOUS

I would be gaping
you would be gaping
he/she/it would be gaping
we would be gaping
they would be gaping

CONDITIONAL PERFECT

I would have gape
you would have gape
he/she/it would have gape
we would have gape
they would have gape

CONDITIONAL PERFECT CONTINUOUS

I would have been gaping
you would have been gaping
he/she/it would have been gaping
we would have been gaping
they would have been gaping

FUTURE

I will gape
you will gape
he/she/it will gape
we will gape
they will gape

FUTURE CONTINUOUS

I will be gaping
you will be gaping
he/she/it will be gaping
we will be gaping
they will be gaping

FUTURE PERFECT

I will have gaped
you will have gaped
he/she/it will have gaped
we will have gaped
they will have gaped

FUTURE PERFECT CONTINUOUS

I will have been gaping
you will have been gaping
he/she/it will have been gaping
we will have been gaping
they will have been gaping

IMPERATIVE

you gape
we let´s gape

NONFINITE VERB FORMS

to gape

PAST

I gaped
you gaped
he/she/it gaped
we gaped
they gaped

PAST CONTINUOUS

I was gaping
you were gaping
he/she/it was gaping
we were gaping
they were gaping

PAST PARTICIPLE

gaped

PAST PERFECT

I had gaped
you had gaped
he/she/it had gaped
we had gaped
they had gaped

PAST PERFECT CONTINUOUS

I had been gaping
you had been gaping
he/she/it had been gaping
we had been gaping
they had been gaping

PRESENT

I gape
you gape
he/she/it gapes
we gape
they gape

PRESENT CONTINUOUS

I am gaping
you are gaping
he/she/it is gaping
we are gaping
they are gaping

PRESENT PARTICIPLE

gaping

PRESENT PERFECT

I have gaped
you have gaped
he/she/it has gaped
we have gaped
they have gaped

PRESENT PERFECT CONTINUOUS

I have been gaping
you have been gaping
he/she/it has been gaping
we have been gaping
they have been gaping
I would have gaped
we would have gaped
you would have gaped
he/she/it would have gaped
they would have gaped

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