Meaning & use
rubberneck
To stare or crane one's neck at something out of curiosity, especially while driving past an accident.
See it in a sentence
Drivers slowed down to rubberneck at the overturned truck, causing a long backup on the highway.
Tourists rubbernecked at the celebrity's car as it pulled slowly away from the hotel entrance.
A note on using this word
Rubberneck is informal and often carries a mildly critical tone, suggesting nosy or intrusive staring rather than simple looking.
Words with a similar meaning
Choose a synonym to suit the sentence. Meanings can overlap without being identical.
Another way to use it
2. noun
A person who stares at something with intrusive curiosity, especially at the scene of an accident.
A crowd of rubbernecks gathered outside the courthouse hoping to see the defendant arrive.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “rubberneck”, then compare your use with the examples above.