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to gaw

to gaw

1 9.9
To stare openly because you are surprised or curious
  • verb
  • /ɡɔ/
  • Archaic
translation icon : mirar embobado
  • He couldn't help but gaw when he saw the impressive fireworks light up the night sky.

Examples

  • The children stood in awe, gawing at the colorful parade floats as they passed by.

  • I'M A PROFESSIONAL, I CAN'T BE SEEN GAWKING AT THE TALENT.

  • While waiting for the bus, she found herself gawing at the strange art installation in the park.

Synonyms

to gawk
vsto gaw
  • Informal
27 6.1

To stare openly at a person or thing because you feel surprised

is the dialectal form meaning the same act of foolish staring
to gawk at
vsto gaw
  • Informal
12 6.3

To stare openly in a rude or surprised way

is the dialectal word rather than a phrasal verb used widely
to goggle
vsto gaw
2 6.1

To look with eyes wide open because you are surprised

shares astonishment but focuses on wide eyes not general staring
to gawp
vsto gaw
  • UK
2 9.1

To stare openly and rudely because you are surprised or curious

is the regional variant of the same rude or foolish staring action
to couldn't help but gawk
vsto gaw
  • Informal
8.2

To be unable to stop yourself from staring in a rude or amazed way

describes the same staring but stresses inability rather than choice
to stand to gawk
vsto gaw
  • Informal
6.4

To stand still and stare with your mouth open in surprise

is the dialectal term but lacks the standing action in its description

Antonyms

1.0

Choose not to pay attention to someone or something

125 2.2

Turn your eyes away from a person or thing that makes you uncomfortable

How Intently

to stare
1.0
to gaw
  • Archaic
1 9.9
to look
1.0
to peek
119 1.1
to glance
299 1.5

Surface Forms

gaw infinitive
gawed past
gawed past participle
gawing present participle
gaws third person singular

Etymology

Gaw is a dialect form of gawk, coming from the idea of someone standing with their mouth open to look at something. So to gaw is 'to stare' openly and often foolishly.