Gape/ɡeɪp/ Definition 1 of 4Pro Tip 1/2Shock or Surprise Use 'gape' when someone is so astonished that they can't close their mouth. After the magic trick, we all gaped in disbelief. Pro Tip 2/2Motionless Staring 'Gape' often implies being so stunned that one forgets to move or react. He gaped at the sky where the UFO had disappeared.