rubbernecking

Meanings

1. 1noununcountable

   The act of staring at something interesting for a long time, especially while driving past an accident.

   Grammar: Uncountable; used with 'the' or on its own: Rubbernecking causes delays.

   Patterns

   • rubbernecking at something
   • cause rubbernecking
   • slow down because of rubbernecking

   Rubbernecking at the crash made the traffic jam much worse.

   Police asked drivers to avoid rubbernecking and keep moving.

   There was a lot of rubbernecking when the celebrity walked into the restaurant.

2. 2noununcountabledisapproving

   The habit of being too curious about other people's private business.

   Grammar: Uncountable; often used disapprovingly about someone's nosy behavior.

   Patterns

   • tired of the rubbernecking
   • constant rubbernecking

   The neighbors' rubbernecking made it hard for the family to grieve in peace.

   She disliked the rubbernecking of reporters outside her home.

Common combinations

rubbernecking at an accident

Drivers were rubbernecking at the accident on the highway.

avoid rubbernecking

The police advised motorists to avoid rubbernecking.

a case of rubbernecking

The delay was just a case of rubbernecking.

slow down from rubbernecking

Traffic slowed down from rubbernecking near the exit.

Synonyms and how they differ

gawking

More general and often used for staring in any situation, not just while driving.

staring

Neutral; it does not suggest the rude curiosity that rubbernecking often implies.

sightseeing

Used for looking at tourist attractions, not for staring at accidents or private matters.

Word family

rubberneck verb

To stare at something, especially while driving past.

rubbernecker noun

A person who rubbernecks.

Commonly confused: rubbernecking or rubberneck?

Practice

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