yap
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/jæp/
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A short, sharp bark from a small dog or noisy, often trivial talk, and the nouns that name those sounds or conversations.
Examples
She couldn't concentrate because her coworker kept yapping about weekend plans.
A quick yap announced the arrival of the mail carrier.
He turned off the TV when the neighbor's dog yapped nonstop.
They yapped away the afternoon without saying anything useful.
After the meeting, there was a lot of yap about the project.
Similar words
peep
bark
squeak
jabber
shout
prattle
blab
chatter
gossip
banter
Meanings
Examples
The terrier yapped at the mail carrier.
During the night a stray yapped outside the window.
She laughed when the puppy yapped at her shoes.
The park was quiet until a dog yapped loudly.
He turned off the TV when the neighbor's dog yapped nonstop.
A sudden yap startled the birds.
Similar words
bark
yelp
howl
cry
shout
squeak
peep
Examples
He yapped on the phone for hours about the weather.
The kids yapped nonstop during the car ride.
She couldn't concentrate because her coworker kept yapping about weekend plans.
Stop yapping, I'm trying to read.
The radio host yapped about celebrity gossip.
They yapped away the afternoon without saying anything useful.
Similar words
babble
chatter
prattle
gab
blab
yak
jabber
Examples
The yap of the Chihuahua echoed down the hallway.
I woke up to a sudden yap outside my window.
Her yap was so high that it startled the cat.
The neighbor's dog has a constant yap that drives me mad.
We could hear the yap before we saw the dog.
A quick yap announced the arrival of the mail carrier.
Similar words
bark
yelp
cry
howl
shout
peep
squeak
Examples
We had a bit of yap over coffee.
The office was full of yap about the new policy.
I enjoy the yap at the market, even if it's noisy.
His yap never ends, but it's harmless.
After the meeting, there was a lot of yap about the project.
She likes the yap that comes with group chats.
Similar words
chat
talk
banter
gossip
chatter
gab
prattle
Etymology
From Middle English yappen, meaning to bark, related to yelp.
FAQ
What does yap mean as a verb?
It means to bark sharply or to talk in a noisy, rapid way.
Is yap used for any kind of noise?
No, it is limited to a high‑pitched dog bark or chatter, not general loud sounds.
How do you form the past tense of yap?
The regular past tense is yapped.
Can yap be used as a noun?
Yes, it can refer to the sound a small dog makes or to casual talk.
Is yap considered formal or informal?
It is informal when describing chatter and neutral when describing a dog bark.
What are common synonyms for yap?
For the verb sense: babble, chatter, prattle; for the noun sense: bark, yelp.
What is the origin of the word yap?
It comes from Middle English yappen, related to yelp.
Does yap have an adjective form?
It can be used adjectivally to describe something that yaps, though this use is rare.
When should I avoid using yap?
Avoid it for serious discussions or for noises that are not a high‑pitched bark.
Is yap related to the messaging app WhatsApp?
No, the word yap is unrelated to the brand name; they share only spelling.
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