gawk

1 of 2

noun

ˈgȯk How to pronounce gawk (audio)
Synonyms of gawknext
: a clumsy stupid person : lout

gawk

2 of 2

verb

gawked; gawking; gawks

intransitive verb

: to gape or stare stupidly
gawked at the fish in the aquarium
gawker noun

Synonyms of gawk

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Noun

Verb

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Examples of gawk in a Sentence

Noun thought that the linebackers were dumb gawks until he got to know them better Verb a crowd of gawking tourists couldn't help gawking at the exotically dressed guests in the hotel lobby
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
People take deep breaths to inhale fresh air, gawk at the wildlife and rock climb. — NBC News, 24 Mar. 2021 The badaud, by contrast, is always liable to form a group or crowd, either for a mass gawk or some communal response. — Julian Barnes, The New York Review of Books, 27 Apr. 2022
Verb
Locals complained tourist gawked at them or traipsed through their yards. — ABC News, 23 Apr. 2026 Shoppers are gawking at their climbing receipts as food costs continue to climb. — Emma Burleigh, Fortune, 8 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for gawk

Word History

Etymology

Noun

probably from English dialect gawk left-handed

Verb

perhaps alteration of obsolete gaw to stare

First Known Use

Noun

1757, in the meaning defined above

Verb

1837, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of gawk was in 1757

Rhymes for gawk

See All Rhymes for gawk

Browse Nearby Words

gawdy
gawk
gawkhammer
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Gawk.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/gawk. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

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Kids Definition

gawk

verb
ˈgȯk
: to stare stupidly
Etymology

Verb

probably an altered form of obsolete gaw "to stare"

More from Merriam-Webster on gawk

Nglish: Translation of gawk for Spanish Speakers

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