verb
gawk
gawk
Gawk (verb) means to stare at something openly and stupidly, often out of surprise or rudeness. Example: “Tourists gawked at the celebrity walking down the street.”
verb
1
To stare at something openly and stupidly, often out of surprise or rudeness.
"Tourists gawked at the celebrity walking down the street."
"Don't just gawk — help me carry these boxes!"
noun
1
A clumsy or foolish person.
"He felt like a gawk stumbling through the formal dinner."
How to use gawk
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishTo stare rudely or openly at something, usually in surprise.
When to use it
Slightly informal; carries a hint of criticism — gawking is generally seen as impolite.
Common pairings
gawk at someone
stop gawking
gawking tourists
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Word forms
- Plural
- gawks
- Third person singular
- gawks
- Past tense
- gawked
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
Tourists _____ at the celebrity walking down the street.
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.
Related words
Rhymes for gawk
See all rhymes for 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.
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