rubberneck
Americanverb (used without object)
verb (used with object)
noun
-
a sightseer; tourist.
-
an extremely curious person.
noun
-
a person who stares or gapes inquisitively, esp in a naive or foolish manner
-
a sightseer or tourist
verb
Etymology
Origin of rubberneck
Explanation
The term rubberneck describes what you do when you can't help staring at something. People tend to rubberneck when they're passing a car accident on the highway. You might rubberneck at a waiter who drops a huge tray full of glasses. Tourists are sometimes accused of stopping to rubberneck at unfamiliar sights as well. Rubberneck was first used in 1897, from the idea that nosy or curious people turn their heads for a closer look as if their necks are made of rubber.
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
If football fans can rubberneck at a player injured on the field, so can moviegoers who are looking for little other than old ideas with a stylish new spin.
From Salon • Sep. 19, 2025
In the immediate term, he said, a nuanced message is needed: Don’t go to Lahaina or rubberneck around the ashes.
From Los Angeles Times • Aug. 28, 2023
Some turned their heads as they passed by and stopped to briefly rubberneck before heading on their way.
From Seattle Times • Jul. 17, 2023
But beyond the impulse to rubberneck, I think it’s useful dwelling on their situation, because it does illustrate a few realities about money—and more importantly, the consumer finance industry—in this country.
From Slate • Nov. 21, 2018
Every person I passed stared at me goggle-eyed, stopping whatever they were doing to rubberneck as I walked by.
From "Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children" by Ransom Riggs
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
