Stare — Meaning, Definition & Synonyms

verb noun /ˈster/

Meaning & Definition of Stare

Stare (verb)

  1. to look fixedly often with wide-open eyes —often used with at
  2. to show oneself conspicuously
  3. to stand on end, bristle; also, to appear rough and lusterless

Stare (noun)

  1. the act or an instance of staring

Stare (verb) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. to look long and hard in wonder or surprise

    "her friends stared in disbelief upon seeing her walking arm in arm with her ex-husband"

    similar: blink, gape, gawk, gawp (chiefly British), gaze, goggle, peer, rubberneck
    related: glare, gloat, glower, consider, eye, fixate, observe, regard, watch, leer, ogle, peruse, pore (over), study, outface, outstare, stare down
    near: glance, glimpse, peek, peep, browse, dip (into), scan, wink (at)

Stare (noun) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. a fixed intent look

    "caught the child's wide-eyed stare on film"

    similar: aspect (archaic), eye, gape, gaze, regard, scrutiny
    related: glare, glower, contemplation, fixation, attention, observance, observation, surveillance, watch, examination, inspection, perusal, study, survey
    near: blink (chiefly Scottish), flash, glance, glimpse, peek, peep, sight, stime (chiefly Scottish & Irish), oeillade, ogle, browse, scan

Related Entry: Stare down (verb)

Stare down is a different word from Stare. The synonyms below are for stare down, not for stare.

  1. as in outstare, outface

    similar: outface, outstare, peruse, pore (over), study, leer, ogle, consider, eye, fixate, observe, regard, watch, glare, gloat, glower, blink, gape, gawk, gawp (chiefly British), gaze, goggle, peer, rubberneck, stare
    opposite: glance, glimpse, peek, peep, browse, dip (into), scan, wink (at)

Related Entry: Look daggers (phrase)

Look daggers is a different word from Stare. The synonyms below are for look daggers, not for stare.

  1. to look with anger or disapproval

    "He saw his brother look daggers at him and he realized he had said too much."

    similar: frown, glare, gloom, glower, lower, scowl
    related: gape, gaze, ogle, stare, grimace, pout, sulk, growl, snarl, sneer, snigger
    opposite: beam, grin, smile

Synonyms, Thesaurus & Another Word for Stare

The most common words with a similar meaning to Stare:

Chiefly British: gawp
Archaic: aspect
blink, gape, gawk, gaze, goggle, peer, rubberneck, eye, regard, scrutiny

Related Words for Stare

glare, gloat, glower, consider, fixate, observe, watch, leer, ogle, peruse, pore (over), study, outface, outstare, stare down, contemplation, fixation, attention, observance, observation, surveillance, examination, inspection, perusal, survey

Near Antonyms of Stare

glance, glimpse, peek, peep, browse, dip (into), scan, wink (at), blink, flash, sight, stime, oeillade, ogle

Word Forms of Stare

Inflections: stared, staring

Derived words: starer (noun)

Origin & Etymology of Stare

Middle English, from Old English starian; akin to Old High German starēn to stare, Greek stereos solid, Lithuanian starinti to stiffen

First known use: before 12th centuryi

Vocabulary Lists & Topics for Stare

Words & Phrases Containing Stare

stare decisis, stare down, stare one in the face, stare at (someone), stare out, stare (someone) in the eye(s), stare (someone) in the face, blank stare

Frequently Asked Questions about Stare

What does "Stare" mean?

"Stare" means to look fixedly often with wide-open eyes —often used with at. As an a verb and a noun, it is defined as: to look fixedly often with wide-open eyes —often used with at. It has 2 distinct senses.

What is another word for "Stare"?

Other words for "Stare" include blink, gape, gawk, gawp, gaze, goggle, peer and rubberneck. The best synonym depends on which meaning of "Stare" you intend.

What are different ways to say "Stare"?

There are 37 words and phrases with a similar meaning to "Stare". Common alternatives include blink, gape, gawk, gawp, gaze, goggle, peer, rubberneck, aspect and eye.

How do you use "Stare" in a sentence?

Examples of "Stare" in a sentence: "her friends stared in disbelief upon seeing her walking arm in arm with her ex-husband"; "caught the child's wide-eyed stare on film".

Is "Stare" a noun, verb, or adjective?

"Stare" can be used as a verb and a noun, depending on the context.

Is "Stare" useful for IELTS, TOEFL, and other English exams?

As a B2-level word, "Stare" is typical of Cambridge B2 First (FCE), IELTS band 5.5–6.5, TOEFL iBT 72–94, PTE Academic 59–75, TOEIC Listening & Reading 785+.

How do you pronounce "Stare"?

"Stare" is pronounced /ˈster/.

What is the origin of the word "Stare"?

"Stare" comes from Middle English, from Old English starian; akin to Old High German starēn to stare, Greek stereos solid, Lithuanian starinti to stiffen. First known use: before 12th centuryi.