French word

bâiller

Pronunciation

IPA/baje/

Meaning

  • verbyawn

Example

Elle bâille sans s'en rendre compte.

She yawns without realizing it.

Illustration for bâiller (yawn)

More examples

Le bébé bâille la bouche grande ouverte.

The baby yawns with its mouth wide open.

Core concept

The jaw drops involuntarily, leaving the mouth open as a long breath passes through it.

Common phrases

  • bâiller d'ennui

    yawn out of boredom

  • bâiller la bouche ouverte

    yawn with one's mouth open

  • bâiller longuement

    yawn for a long time

Similar words

s'étirer: To stretch the body to loosen its muscles.
soupirer: To sigh to express a feeling or emotion.

Definition in French

Ouvrir involontairement la bouche et inspirer ou expirer longuement, généralement par fatigue ou ennui.

Word origin

The French verb bâiller continues Old French bailler, inherited from Latin batāre, to gape or stand open.

Usage tips

  • Bâiller commonly takes de before a cause, as in bâiller de fatigue or bâiller d'ennui.

Other meanings

  • gapeverb

Related words

Word lists with this word