gawk

1 of 2

noun

: 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

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
Here, the blurring is visual: Sometimes Leonard floats into the past looking like Gere, who wears the character without a shred of self-protection as the lens gawks at his raw skin. Amy Nicholson, Los Angeles Times, 12 Dec. 2024 The Esprit's shape, arguably more avant-garde despite its age, consistently pegs the gawk meter. John Phillips, Car and Driver, 18 June 2020
Verb
Everyone who stepped off the elevator was greeted by dozens of gawking, disappointed onlookers hoping to get the first glimpse of the woman of the hour. Nate Jones, Vulture, 8 Mar. 2025 Viewers are encouraged to gawk, laugh, and essentially normalize her subjugation. Kyndall Cunningham, Vox, 3 Mar. 2025 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

1785, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of gawk was in 1757

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Cite this Entry

“Gawk.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/gawk. Accessed 28 Mar. 2025.

Kids Definition

gawk

verb
ˈgȯk
: to stare stupidly
Etymology

Verb

probably an altered form of obsolete gaw "to stare"

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