gawp

or gaup

[ gawp ]

Phonetic (Standard)IPA

verb (used without object)

, Chiefly Northern U.S.

to stare with the mouth open in wonder or astonishment; gape:
Crowds stood gawping at the disabled ship.

gawp

/ ɡɔːp /

verb

slang.
introften foll byat to stare stupidly; gape

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Derived Forms

ˈgawper, noun

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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

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Word History and Origins

Origin of gawp¹

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

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Example Sentences

He shoves his chair back into the corner and continues186 to gawp; so I just has to let on that he ain't there at all.

From Project Gutenberg

I tried not to gawp at what must have been a couple million bucks' worth of condo.

From Project Gutenberg

It would make you mighty glad you didn't marry that young gawp at home.

From Project Gutenberg

Walkin' over to Skeet I taps him on the shoulder, and then it's his turn to gawp at my costume.

From Project Gutenberg

All I'm sure of is that we both sort of slowed up and did the gawp act.

From Project Gutenberg

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