stir

1 of 3

verb

ˈstər 

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

: bestir, exert

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 stirring …

—Clement 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

Synonyms

Verb

• agitate
• churn
• swirl
• wash
• whirl

Noun (1)

• ado
• alarums and excursions
• ballyhoo
• blather
• bluster
• bobbery
• bother
• bustle
• clatter
• clutter [chiefly dialect]
• coil
• commotion
• corroboree [Australian]
• disturbance
• do [chiefly dialect]
• foofaraw
• fun
• furor
• furore
• fuss
• helter-skelter
• hoo-ha
• hoo-hah
• hoopla
• hubble-bubble
• hubbub
• hullabaloo
• hurly
• hurly-burly
• hurricane
• hurry
• hurry-scurry
• hurry-skurry
• kerfuffle [chiefly British]
• moil
• pandemonium
• pother
• row
• ruckus
• ruction
• rumpus
• shindy
• splore [Scottish]
• squall
• stew
• storm
• to-do
• tumult
• turmoil
• uproar
• welter
• whirl
• williwaw
• zoo

Noun (2)

• bastille
• big house [slang]
• bridewell
• brig
• calaboose
• can
• clink [slang]
• cooler
• coop
• guardroom
• hock
• hold
• hoosegow
• jail
• jailhouse
• joint [slang]
• jug
• lockup
• nick [British slang]
• pen
• penitentiary
• pokey [slang]
• prison
• quod [British slang]
• slam
• slammer
• stockade
• tolbooth [Scottish]

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.

Noun (1)

the plane's first jolt caused a stir among the passengers, and by the third one they were in a panic

we were warned that the slightest stir would scare the mother bird so we hardly dared to breathe

Noun (2)

the mule had just got out of stir and was being followed by the feds, who had their sights set on the kingpin of the operation

Recent Examples on the Web

Verb

Cook, stirring occasionally, until mushrooms are browned, 6 to 8 minutes. Reduce heat to medium and add garlic, thyme, 1 teaspoon of the salt and 1/2 teaspoon of the pepper; cook, stirring constantly, until fragrant, about 30 seconds. —Nicole Hopper, Southern Living, 17 Apr. 2025

Simmer, stirring occasionally, until the sauce has thickened, 15 to 20 minutes. —Caron Golden, San Diego Union-Tribune, 16 Apr. 2025

Noun

This case is still causing a stir in international law, with people discussing expropriation and investor rights—issues that the Russian elite relegated to afterthoughts to protect political concerns. —Ken Silverstein, Forbes.com, 16 Apr. 2025

Trump created a new stir on a related matter at Monday’s meeting. —Niall Stanage, The Hill, 14 Apr. 2025

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

Phrases Containing stir

• kick/whip/stir up a storm
• stir-crazy
• stir-fry
• stir oneself
• stir things up
• stir up

Rhymes for stir

• birr
• blur
• bur
• cur
• er
• fir
• fur
• furr
• gurr
• her
• murr
• myrrh

Kids Definition

stir

1 of 2 verb

ˈstər 

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