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

Example Sentences

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. See More
Recent Examples on the Web
Verb
Some of the most popular dishes among customers include peanut tofu bowls, coconut chickpea curry, and tangy Thai stir fry. Talene Appleton, Men's Health, 20 Mar. 2023 While the circumstances of her disappearance stir an air of mystery over Amelia Earhart’s larger-than-life legacy, her 1937 Cord 812 Phaeton Convertible offers tangible insights into one of history’s most intriguing women. Basem Wasef, Robb Report, 10 Mar. 2023 Just add a scoop of the protein powder to an 8-ounce glass of ice-cold water, stir, and enjoy - what could be easier? Amber Smith, Discover Magazine, 28 Feb. 2023 In some cultures, semolina is stir fried with eggs, ghee, and sugar to make a sweet dish called halwa. Manal Aman, Woman's Day, 27 Feb. 2023 Institutions like the British Embassy and the U.S. State Department feared that these students would stir anti-American sentiment and cause racial unrest. Jenn Dize, Rolling Stone, 26 Feb. 2023 Saying something dramatic to stir the pot might be the most obvious way to address your craving for excitement. Tarot Astrologers, Chicago Tribune, 24 Feb. 2023 Place on medium heat and stir continuously until the mixture thickens. Dana Mcmahan, The Courier-Journal, 21 Feb. 2023 Once cauliflower is fork tender, stir in hot sauce and any liquid drained from the kimchi, and green chiles, and simmer until sauce has reduced, about 5 minutes. Kim Sunée, Anchorage Daily News, 9 Feb. 2023
Noun
This curve-hugging, off-the-shoulder dress is sure to cause a stir. Lauren Hubbard, Town & Country, 11 Mar. 2023 No official statement has been made by the couple, but the sudden shift in ownership is sure to cause a stir. Amanda Curran, Glamour, 1 Mar. 2023 Naturally, the pictures caused a stir on the Internet. Starr Bowenbank, ELLE, 28 Feb. 2023 As the company intended, the bold move has already caused a stir on the internet. Alexandra Meeks, CNN, 22 Feb. 2023 Ellie Goulding and Tom Grennan's latest interaction causes a stir on social media. Michelle Lee, Peoplemag, 13 Feb. 2023 Bobby Hull, the scoring dynamo of the 1960s who won a Stanley Cup with the National Hockey League’s Chicago Blackhawks before causing a stir by defecting for a big contract in the upstart World Hockey Association, has died. Laine Higgins, WSJ, 30 Jan. 2023 The pic, produced by Jordan’s The Imaginarium Films, Bayt Al Shawareb, and Egypt’s Lagoonie Group, didn’t cause a stir when distributor Mad Solutions released it theatrically across the region. Nick Vivarelli, Variety, 26 Jan. 2023 Who knew that a white tank top could cause such a stir? Kendall Becker, refinery29.com, 25 Jan. 2023 See More

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 31 Mar. 2023.

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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