Definitions

from The Century Dictionary.

  • In a gaping manner; with open-mouthed wonder or curiosity.

from Wiktionary, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License.

  • adverb In a gaping way.

Etymologies

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Examples

  • Unfortunately, the gap between the ideal and reality is gapingly wide.

    The FDA Isn't as Innovative as It Likes to Think It Is 2011

  • The gap continues to be gapingly large whether we look at school readiness, fourth grade reading scores or high school graduation rates.

    Sarah Walzer: Why Can't We Bridge the Achievement Gap? Maybe We Are Not Looking in the Right Place Sarah Walzer 2010

  • Whilst there is an unseen but ever present security blanket (dozens of unarmed security personnel were scene racing from the crowd within seconds of the crash to secure the scene and offer aid to the stricken) it had a gapingly porous hole.

    Denis Campbell: Good Feeling's Gone 2009

  • Crouched and balancing on gapingly bent knees, standing with legs straight and fingers touching toes, or seductively crawling toward him like a tiger sneaking upon its prey — she did it all in hope of expanding his level of excitement.

    The Dressing Room naughtylove 2004

  • When holes showed in Pham Nuwen's cram-education, they were gapingly wide.

    A Fire Upon the Deep Vinge, Vernor 1992

  • He walked proudly past Dopner who stared after him gapingly.

    Vagabond of Space Ernsting, Walter 1976

  • There were also six tables of different sizes, some armchairs gapingly stuffed, boxes, stools, and unravelling baskets, books and papers on every chair, a sofa for cats, a harmonium for coats, and a piano for dust and photographs.

    Cider With Rosie Lee, Laurie 1959

  • Slowly and gapingly the audience arises, strolls sleepily out of the door, and entering wrong stages, is carried to all manner of wrong destinations.

    Punchinello, Volume 1, No. 16, July 16, 1870 Various

  • Alf might gapingly have followed her, lost again in admiration of her more sparkling tongue and equipments.

    Nocturne Frank Swinnerton 1933

  • That pause followed while the driver in George's brain stood gapingly inactive; and then came laughter to him like a draught of champagne.

    Once Aboard the Lugger 1925

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