rub·ber·neck
ˈrə-bər-ˌnek 
1
: an overly inquisitive person
2
: tourist
especially
: one on a guided tour
rubbernecked; rubbernecking; rubbernecks
1
: to look about or stare with exaggerated curiosity
drivers passing the accident slowed down to rubberneck
2
: to go on a tour : sightsee
Examples of rubberneck in a Sentence
Noun
every year raucous rubbernecks by the busload descend upon the city for its famed Mardi Gras
Verb
She was rubbernecking and almost got in an accident herself.
thoughtless drivers pausing on the highway to rubberneck at the accident
Recent Examples on the Web
Ralph Keyes, Time, 1 Apr. 2021
What can only be described as a rubberneck-inducing, Alfalfa hair situation ensues, rendering her date-night vibe—a formfitting V-neck pink dress and no-makeup makeup look—virtually irreparable.
—Kate Branch, Vogue, 15 July 2018
Victor Mather, New York Times, 30 Apr. 2025
Avoid rubbernecking at accident scenes and stay focused on the road for safety.
—Evan Moore, Charlotte Observer, 29 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for rubberneck
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Noun
Flimflam felt better in the mouth than swindle, and rubberneck was a more agreeable verb than crane.
—Ralph Keyes, Time, 1 Apr. 2021
What can only be described as a rubberneck-inducing, Alfalfa hair situation ensues, rendering her date-night vibe—a formfitting V-neck pink dress and no-makeup makeup look—virtually irreparable.
—Kate Branch, Vogue, 15 July 2018
Verb
The car accident on the interstate was minor, Mr. Starr said, with no injuries or damage, perhaps caused by astonished drivers rubbernecking.
—Victor Mather, New York Times, 30 Apr. 2025
Avoid rubbernecking at accident scenes and stay focused on the road for safety.
—Evan Moore, Charlotte Observer, 29 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for rubberneck
Cite this Entry
“Rubberneck.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/rubberneck. Accessed 13 May. 2025.
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