Rubberneck: meaning, definitions and examples

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rubberneck

 

[ ˈrʌbəˌnɛk ]

Verb
Context #1 | Verb

gawking, observing

To rubberneck means to turn one's head or body to stare at something, often in a curiosity-driven manner. It is frequently used to describe the action of slowing down or stopping to look at an accident or something unusual while driving. This behavior can cause traffic congestion and is often viewed negatively. People who rubberneck may be more focused on what is happening around them than on their own driving.

Synonyms

gawk, ogle, stare.

Examples of usage

  • The cars slowed down as drivers began to rubberneck at the roadside accident.
  • She couldn't help but rubberneck at the parade as it passed by.
  • Rubbernecking can be dangerous, especially on busy highways.

Translations

Translations of the word "rubberneck" in other languages:

🇵🇹 curioso

🇮🇳 देखने वाला

🇩🇪 Gaffer

🇮🇩 pengintip

🇺🇦 поглядач

🇵🇱 ciekawski

🇯🇵 ゴシップ好き

🇫🇷 spectateur

🇪🇸 mirón

🇹🇷 meraklı

🇰🇷 구경꾼

🇸🇦 فضولي

🇨🇿 zvědavý

🇸🇰 zvedavý

🇨🇳 看热闹的人

🇸🇮 radovednež

🇮🇸 forvitinn

🇰🇿 қызыққұмар

🇬🇪 დაინტერესებული

🇦🇿 maraqlı

🇲🇽 mirón

Etymology

The term 'rubberneck' originates from the early 20th century, deriving its name from the act of bending one's neck back and forth like rubber to look more closely at something. The word has roots in American English, and it was first noted in use around the 1920s. The 'rubber' component refers to the flexible nature of rubber that allows for bending and stretching, while 'neck' simply refers to the part of the body that is moved in this action. Over time, the term has taken on a more specific connotation related to spectators, particularly those who stop to look at accidents or incidents, causing traffic delays. It embodies a sense of voyeurism in public situations where curiosity overrides caution.

Word Frequency Rank

At position #42,176, this word is among the less frequently used terms in English. While interesting to know, it's not crucial for most English learners unless needed for specific purposes.