gaper
Definition
- Noun:
- A person who gapes: "gaper" refers to someone who stares with an open mouth, often in wonder, surprise, or stupidity.
- A yawner: It can also denote someone who yawns frequently.
- An idler or loafer: In informal usage, a "gaper" is a person who wanders aimlessly or is without meaningful occupation.
Usage Examples
- (People staring open-mouthed in wonder.)
- (Someone yawning repeatedly.)
- (Idlers or loafers.)
Advanced Usage
- "gaper's block": (informal) a traffic jam caused by drivers slowing down to stare at an accident or unusual sight.
- The highway turned into a gaper's block when everyone stopped to look at the overturned truck. (A delay due to curious staring.)
Variants and Related Words
- Gape (verb): to open the mouth wide; to stare with an open mouth.
- She gaped at the enormous elephant. (She stared with her mouth open in amazement.)
- Gaping (adj): wide open; forming a large opening.
- There was a gaping hole in the wall. (A large, open hole.)
Synonyms
- Stare: to look fixedly with eyes wide open.
- Gawk: to stare openly and stupidly.
- Idler: a person who avoids work or activity.
Related Idioms
- "to gape at": to stare at something with an open mouth.
- Tourists gaped at the ancient ruins. (They stared in wonder.)
Phrasal Verbs
- Gape open: to become wide open, often suddenly.
- The door gaped open, revealing a dark room. (The door swung wide open.)