gawp

or gaup

[ gawp ]

verb (used without object)

, Chiefly Northern U.S.

1. to stare with the mouth open in wonder or astonishment; gape:

   Crowds stood gawping at the disabled ship.

gawp

/ ɡɔːp /

verb

1. slang.
   introften foll byat to stare stupidly; gape

Derived Forms

• ˈgawper, noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of gawp¹

1720–30; British dial., continuing obsolete galp, Middle English galpen, perhaps blend of Middle Dutch galpen to yawn and Middle English gapen to gape

Word History and Origins

Origin of gawp¹

C14 galpen; probably related to Old English gielpan to boast, yelp . Compare Dutch galpen to yelp

Example Sentences

Like the passengers gawping at the flames, the reader cannot look away.

From Los Angeles Times

As rescuers tended to the stricken mammal, Mr Heslop-Mullens said people "should treat it as an animal and not as something to gawp at".

From BBC

But, he added, he wouldn’t be gawping at their apartments.

From New York Times

So were PSV fans, belting out his name, while pundits gawped at this teenage phenomenon.

From BBC

In footage posted online, the two appear to be whizzing along on electric foil boards while onlookers on boats gawp at them.

From BBC