Illustration of yak
- 1yak
plural yaks also yak
: a large long-haired wild or domesticated ox (Bos grunniens synonym Poephagus grunniens) of Tibet and adjacent elevated parts of central Asia
less common variant of yuk entry 1
variants
or less commonly yack
yakked also yacked; yakking also yacking
: to talk persistently : chatter
Synonyms of yak
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
Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 25 Apr. 2026
The interiors of my cabin were elemental, with stone walls, wood furniture, and yak-wool throws.
—Elizabeth Cantrell, Travel + Leisure, 7 Apr. 2026
Cynthia Littleton, Variety, 6 Feb. 2026
But why not enjoy yakking about it?
—Susan Orlean, New Yorker, 11 Oct. 2025
Amy Nicholson, Los Angeles Times, 26 June 2025
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
Daniel Brown, New York Times, 11 July 2025
This year Hart yuks it up on July 12 and Jones does a follow up concert on Aug. 2.
—Richard Johnson, New York Daily News, 25 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for yak
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Noun
Here, nomadic families still move across the plains with their herds of yak and sheep, and concrete-and-steel settlements are few and far in between.
—Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 25 Apr. 2026
The interiors of my cabin were elemental, with stone walls, wood furniture, and yak-wool throws.
—Elizabeth Cantrell, Travel + Leisure, 7 Apr. 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
Most of the other obvious yuks are flashy and hollow: Of course M3GAN will dance.
—Amy Nicholson, Los Angeles Times, 26 June 2025
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
But even though the lefty claims a 13 handicap and is now a regular at charity tournaments, the comic known for his Git-R-Done catchphrase is still counted on to yuk it up for hours on end.
—Daniel Brown, New York Times, 11 July 2025
This year Hart yuks it up on July 12 and Jones does a follow up concert on Aug. 2.
—Richard Johnson, New York Daily News, 25 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for yak
Cite this Entry
“Yak.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/yak. Accessed 16 Jun. 2026.
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