stare

1 of 2

verb

ˈster 

stared; staring

intransitive verb

1

: to look fixedly often with wide-open eyes

2

: to show oneself conspicuously

the error stared from the page

3

of hair : to stand on end : bristle

also : to appear rough and lusterless

transitive verb

1

: to have an effect on by staring

2

: to look at with a searching or earnest gaze

starer noun

stare

2 of 2

noun

: the act or an instance of staring

a blank stare

Phrases

stare one in the face

: to be undeniably and forcefully evident or apparent

Synonyms

Verb

• blink
• gape
• gawk
• gawp [chiefly British]
• gaze
• goggle
• peer
• rubberneck

Noun

• aspect [archaic]
• eye
• gape
• gaze
• regard
• scrutiny

Examples of stare in a Sentence

Verb

She stared out the window.

His mother told him not to stare.

Noun

They looked at me with accusing stares.

caught the child's wide-eyed stare on film

Recent Examples on the Web

Verb

Wearing a long cape and wielding a sword, Tatum poses next to his daughter, who has her arms by her side and stares straight into the camera. —Hannah Sacks, Peoplemag, 10 May 2024

Behind her, a few dozen people mill about, leaning on a rail, drinking coffee, staring at their phones. —J. George Gorant, Robb Report, 9 May 2024

Word History

Etymology

Verb

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

First Known Use

Verb

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

Noun

1553, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing stare

• blank stare
• fix one's eyes/gaze/stare on/upon
• look/shoot/stare daggers at
• stare at (someone)
• stare daggers
• stare decisis
• stare down
• stare/gaze (off) into space
• stare one in the face
• stare out
• stare (someone) in the eye(s)
• stare (someone) in the face

Kids Definition

stare

1 of 2 verb

ˈsta(ə)r 

ˈste(ə)r

stared; staring

: to look hard and long often with wide-open eyes

stare at a stranger

starer noun

stare

2 of 2 noun

: the act or an instance of staring