stir

1 of 3

verb

stirred; stirring

transitive verb

1
a
: to cause an especially slight movement or change of position of
tied so tightly he could scarcely stir a finger
b
: to disturb the quiet of : agitate
often used with up
the bear stirred up the bees
2
a
: to disturb the relative position of the particles or parts of especially by a continued circular movement
stirred the paint with a paddle
stir the fire
often used with up
stirred up mud from the lake bottom
b
: to mix by or as if by stirring
stir one's coffee
often used with in
stir in the spices
3
4
: to bring into notice or debate : raise
often used with up
stir up sensitive issues
5
a
: to rouse to activity : evoke strong feelings in
music that stirs the emotions
b
: to call forth (something, such as a memory) : evoke
stir happy remembrances
c
: provoke
stir a storm of controversy
often used with up
stir up trouble

intransitive verb

1
a
: to make a slight movement
The leaves were barely stirring.
b
: to begin to move (as in rousing)
She heard him stirring in bed.
c
: to shift to another location : budge
haven't stirred since I arrived
2
: to begin to be active
The factory stirred to life.
3
: to be active or busy
Not a creature was stirringClement Moore
4
: to pass an implement through a substance with a circular movement
washed the spoon she was stirring with
5
: to be able to be stirred
Add water until the mixture stirs easily.
stirrer noun

stir

2 of 3

noun (1)

1
a
: a state of disturbance, agitation, or brisk activity
b
: widespread notice and discussion : impression
the book caused quite a stir
2
: a slight movement
3
: a stirring movement

stir

3 of 3

noun (2)

slang
: prison

Examples of stir in a Sentence

Verb The cake batter must be stirred for 10 minutes. Stir one cup of sugar into the batter. She was stirred from her sleep by the noise. The breeze stirred the leaves on the tree. We could see people stirring inside the shop. A good book can stir the imagination.
Recent Examples on the Web
Verb
Transfer to a large bowl, and stir in evaporated milk. Sabrina Weiss, Peoplemag, 5 Mar. 2024 Cook until the meat is very tender, 2½ to 3 hours, stirring every hour or so. Lynda Balslev, The Mercury News, 4 Mar. 2024 Disputed campaign mailer causes stir in City Council District 10 race. Andrew J. Campa, Los Angeles Times, 3 Mar. 2024 The sheer size of tarantulas can stir a sense of awe. Katie Liu, Discover Magazine, 29 Feb. 2024 Meanwhile, stir the remaining ½ tablespoon ginger into the yogurt. Ali Slagle, San Diego Union-Tribune, 28 Feb. 2024 Alongside Zelensky, the heads of state delivered stirring speeches at Kyiv’s Antonov airport, a powerful symbolic gesture, since Moscow’s dreams of occupying the capital were shattered there by fierce Ukrainian resistance during the early hours of the invasion. Katya Soldak, Forbes, 26 Feb. 2024 But legal recreational marijuana is stirring new worries. Peter Hecht, Sacramento Bee, 21 Feb. 2024 When this inmate arrives, something starts to stir inside her again. Marta Balaga, Variety, 20 Feb. 2024
Noun
Many Dune fans have been causing quite a stir on social media, thanks to a very unique AMC Theatres promotional item surrounding the recent release of Dune: Part Two. Jen Juneau, Peoplemag, 1 Mar. 2024 Spring training has begun, and with players and fans eager for the start of the new season, Major League Baseball and Nike last week announced details about the new jerseys — creating a stir on and off the field. Juliette Arcodia, NBC News, 20 Feb. 2024 Shaquille O’Neal ambled by the suite with about nine minutes left in the first half and created nary a stir. Josh Peter, USA TODAY, 11 Feb. 2024 In the buildup to Thursday’s game, Marcus Rashford, another academy graduate, caused a stir for missing training after a night out. Ben Church, CNN, 2 Feb. 2024 Snow’s video has created quite a stir on the internet. Travis Hall, Field & Stream, 31 Jan. 2024 Since beginning to date Kelce, she’s taken to attending his games — causing quite a stir. Abigail Gruskin, Baltimore Sun, 25 Jan. 2024 The new Impression Isla Mujeres by Secrets, which opened in 2023, has already caused quite a stir and is quickly climbing the ranks as the best resort on the island. Meagan Drillinger, Travel + Leisure, 23 Jan. 2024 Though none of these incidents involved direct harm to any humans, the belligerent behavior caused a stir, prompting many to once again question the threat marine mammals pose to humans. Max Bennett, Discover Magazine, 21 Feb. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'stir.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Verb

Middle English, from Old English styrian; akin to Old High German stōren to scatter

Noun (2)

origin unknown

First Known Use

Verb

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1a

Noun (1)

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Noun (2)

1851, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of stir was before the 12th century

Dictionary Entries Near stir

Cite this Entry

“Stir.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/stir. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

stir

1 of 2 verb
stirred; stirring
1
a
: to make or cause to make an especially small movement or change of position
the leaves were barely stirring
b
: to disturb the quiet of : agitate
the bear stirred up the bees
2
: to mix, dissolve, or make especially by a continued circular movement
stir the pudding
3
a
: to rouse to action or strong feeling : incite
his pleas stirred the crowd
b
: to call forth (as a memory) : evoke
stirred thoughts of home
c
: to cause to take place : provoke
stir up trouble
4
: to be active or busy
not a creature was stirring
stirrer noun

stir

2 of 2 noun
1
a
: a state of disturbance, upset, or action
b
: widespread notice and discussion : impression
2
: a small movement
3
: a stirring movement

More from Merriam-Webster on stir

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