yak

1 of 6

noun (1)

ˈyak How to pronounce yak (audio)
plural yaks also yak
Synonyms of yaknext
: a large long-haired wild or domesticated ox (Bos grunniens synonym Poephagus grunniens) of Tibet and adjacent elevated parts of central Asia

Illustration of yak

Illustration of yak
  • 1yak

yak

2 of 6

noun (2)

ˈyäk How to pronounce yak (audio) ˈyak How to pronounce yak (audio)

less common variant of yuk entry 1

1
slang : laugh
did it just for yuks
2
slang : joke, gag

yak

3 of 6

verb (1)

ˈyak How to pronounce yak (audio)
variants or less commonly yack
yakked also yacked; yakking also yacking

intransitive verb

: to talk persistently : chatter

yak

4 of 6

noun (3)

variants or less commonly yack
: persistent or voluble talk

yuk

5 of 6

noun (4)

ˈyək How to pronounce yuk (audio)
variants or yuck or less commonly yak
ˈyäk How to pronounce yuk (audio) ˈyak How to pronounce yuk (audio)
or yock
ˈyäk How to pronounce yuk (audio)
1
slang : laugh
did it just for yuks
2
slang : joke, gag

yuk

6 of 6

verb (2)

variants or yuck
yukked or yucked; yukking or yucking

intransitive verb

slang
: laugh, joke
—usually used in the phrase yuk it up

Synonyms of yak

Relevance

Noun (4)

Verb (2)

See All Synonyms & Antonyms in Thesaurus

Examples of yak in a Sentence

Noun (4) the yuks on this new sitcom are so pathetic that the souped-up laugh track merely adds insult to injury Verb (2) pay no mind to those clowns—they are just yukking it up and don't mean any harm
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Noun
If these clone yaks are meant to boost the farming industry, are they being selectively bred to produce more milk, or better cuts of meat, or specific types of wool? — Jessie Yeung, CNN Money, 25 July 2026 The elephants are escorted by handlers who fan them with peacock feathers and yak-hair whisks. — ABC News, 3 July 2026
Verb
But the core of the appeal of fantasy sports is the joy of tracking each week’s games and yakking about it with sports-crazy friends, Berry emphasizes. — Cynthia Littleton, Variety, 6 Feb. 2026 But why not enjoy yakking about it? — Susan Orlean, New Yorker, 11 Oct. 2025
Noun
Certainly, a just-for-yuks take on infidelity, anger and marital resentment may strike many television executives as a risky bet. — Alex Williams, New York Times, 5 Oct. 2016
Verb
Who has more fun than golfers who yuk it up throughout a four-hour round? — Tom Krasovic, San Diego Union-Tribune, 17 Apr. 2025 If that week’s offering was pure schlock, my dad and I would yuk it up. — Shannon Doyne, New York Times, 14 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for yak

Word History

Etymology

Noun (1)

Tibetan (Lhasa dialect) yaʔ (spelled gyag)

Verb (1)

probably imitative

First Known Use

Noun (1)

1795, in the meaning defined above

Verb (1)

1949, in the meaning defined above

Noun (3)

1950, in the meaning defined above

Noun (4)

1946, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb (2)

1964, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of yak was in 1795

Rhymes for yak

See All Rhymes for yak

Browse Nearby Words

Yajur Veda
yak
Yaka
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Yak.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/yak. Accessed 1 Aug. 2026.

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Kids Definition

yak

noun
ˈyak
plural yaks also yak
: a large long-haired wild or domesticated ox of Tibet and nearby elevated parts of central Asia

More from Merriam-Webster on yak

Nglish: Translation of yak for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about yak

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