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Gawk vs Ogle - What's the difference?

gawk | ogle |

As nouns the difference between gawk and ogle

is that gawk is a cuckoo while ogle is an impertinent, flirtatious, amorous or covetous stare.

As verbs the difference between gawk and ogle

is that gawk is to stare or gape stupidly while ogle is to stare at (someone or something), especially impertinently, amorously, or covetously.

gawk

English

Etymology 1

From a variant of gowk, from (etyl) gowke, from (etyl) . More at (l).

Noun

(en noun)
  • a cuckoo
    • (Johnson)
  • a fool
    • (Carlyle)

    Etymology 2

    A Middle-Appalachian Americanism, since late 1800s, possibly misconstruing French "gauche," and leading to use of adj gawky for a person or process that is uncoordinated or awkward.

    Noun

    (en noun)
  • a simpleton, stupid or clumsy person.

    • Etymology 3

    Perhaps from (etyl) .

    Verb

    (en verb)
  • To stare or gape stupidly
  • To stare conspicuously.

    • References

    Appalachian English

    ogle

    English

    Alternative forms

    * (Northern England)

    Verb

    (ogl)
  • (intransitive) To stare at (someone or something), especially impertinently, amorously, or covetously.
  • * Dryden
    • And ogling all their audience, ere they speak.

    Noun

    (en noun)
  • An impertinent, flirtatious, amorous or covetous stare.

    • Anagrams

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