1 C1 idiomatic formal
To crave or desperately desire something, with an image of staring open-mouthed toward it.
"The prisoners gaping for fresh air were finally led out into the courtyard."
inseparable
gape for
C1 formal inseparable transitive
To stare open-mouthed with longing or desire for something; to crave something urgently.
In plain English
To want something so badly your mouth falls open.
What does "gape for" mean?
One main meaning — here's how to use it.
Literal vs figurative
Words literally mean
To stand with one's mouth wide open, reaching toward something.
Actually means
To want something so badly your mouth falls open.
Usage tip
Largely archaic. Found in older literary texts. In modern English, 'gape' alone means to stare open-mouthed in surprise, but 'gape for' with the sense of longing is essentially obsolete.
Words that pair with "gape for"
Natural word combinations native speakers use most often.
air breath freedom relief water
How to conjugate "gape for"
The five tense forms you'll use most often.
Base
gape for
I/you/we/they
3rd person
gapes for
he/she/it
Past simple
gaped for
yesterday
Past participle
gaped for
have + pp
-ing form
gaping for
continuous
Hear "gape for" in the wild
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