Meaning & use
gaping
Last updated
wide open, especially describing a hole, wound, or gap; also, staring in open-mouthed astonishment.
See it in a sentence
A gaping hole in the roof let rain pour into the attic.
The tourists stood gaping at the towering waterfall.
A note on using this word
Often used for openings that feel alarmingly large, like a 'gaping wound' or 'gaping deficit,' adding a sense of severity.
Words with a similar meaning
wideyawning
Choose a synonym to suit the sentence. Meanings can overlap without being identical.
Words with an opposite meaning
closed
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