gawk
11 synonyms and 0 antonyms for gawk, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Verb — To stare at something openly and stupidly, often out of surprise or rudeness.
Synonyms
Less common
Still standard English, but they carry more weight.
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
How to use gawk
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
Slightly informal; carries a hint of criticism — gawking is generally seen as impolite.
Etymology
Related to an older word gowk, from Old Norse gaukr ("cuckoo") — the bird's name became a byword for a fool, and later for someone staring blankly.
Full origin of gawk →Frequently asked questions
What does “gawk” mean?
The word “gawk” means to stare at something openly and stupidly, often out of surprise or rudeness. In plain terms, to stare rudely or openly at something, usually in surprise.
How do you pronounce “gawk”?
“Gawk” is pronounced gawk (/ɡɔːk/ in IPA).
How do you use “gawk” in a sentence?
Here is “gawk” used in a sentence: “Tourists gawked at the celebrity walking down the street.”
What part of speech is “gawk”?
Depending on how it is used, “gawk” can be a verb and a noun.
Where does the word “gawk” come from?
The word “gawk” comes from Old Norse. Related to an older word gowk, from Old Norse gaukr ("cuckoo") — the bird's name became a byword for a fool, and later for someone staring blankly.
How many meanings does “gawk” have?
“Gawk” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: to stare at something openly and stupidly, often out of surprise or rudeness.