verb
gawk
gawk
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
Word Forms
gawked past tense, gawks plural, gawks plural, gawks singular
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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.