ENGLISH
REFERENCE

gaping

adj.
B2 Upper Intermediate US //ˈɡeɪpɪŋ// UK //ɡˈeɪpɪŋ// gap·ing

adj. describing a hole or an opening that is very wide and deep. You often use this to describe a large wound or a wide-open mouth.

adj. characterised by a wide, deep, or cavernous opening. Often used to describe physical apertures, wounds, or facial expressions of shock.


SIMPLE

The hiker carefully avoided the gaping hole in the middle of the path.

CONTEXTUAL

The earthquake left a gaping crack in the highway that made the road completely impassable for emergency vehicles.

COMPLEX

The protagonist stood before the gaping entrance of the cavern, feeling a mixture of primal dread and intense curiosity about the secrets hidden within its depths.

Synonyms
Etymology 1

From Middle English gaping, gapynge, variants of Middle English gapand, gapande, equivalent to gape + -ing.

Etymology 2

From Middle English gapynge, equivalent to gape + -ing.

Usage

Typically used attributively before a noun; frequently collocates with 'hole', 'wound', or 'mouth'.

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