stare
steh-uh
Stare (verb) means to look at something or someone for a long time without looking away. Example: “Try not to stare at strangers on the bus because it makes them uncomfortable.”
verb
1
To look at something or someone for a long time without looking away.
"Try not to stare at strangers on the bus because it makes them uncomfortable."
"He stared out the window, lost in thought."
"She caught him staring at her across the room."
noun
1
A long, fixed look.
"The cat fixed the bird with an unblinking stare."
"Her cold stare made him stop talking at once."
"He gave her a blank stare when she asked the question."
How to use stare
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishTo look at something steadily and for a long time, usually without blinking or looking away.
Common mistake
Staring is generally considered rude or intense in most social contexts — "stare" implies an unbroken, often uncomfortable gaze, unlike the neutral verb "look."
Easily confused with
Common pairings
stare into space
stare at someone
blank stare
stare down
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Word forms
- Plural
- stares
- Third person singular
- stares
- Past tense
- stared
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
Try not to _____ at strangers on the bus because it makes them uncomfortable.
Etymology
From Old English starian ("to stare, to be fixed or rigid"), related to the word "stark" — both come from a root meaning stiff or fixed.
Related words
Rhymes for stare
See all rhymes for stare →Frequently asked questions
What does “stare” mean?
The word “stare” means to look at something or someone for a long time without looking away. In plain terms, to look at something steadily and for a long time, usually without blinking or looking away.
How do you pronounce “stare”?
“Stare” is pronounced steh-uh (/stɛɚ/ in IPA).
How do you use “stare” in a sentence?
Here is “stare” used in a sentence: “He stared out the window, lost in thought.”
What is another word for “stare”?
Words with a similar meaning to “stare” include gaw, gloar and glom.
What part of speech is “stare”?
Depending on how it is used, “stare” can be a verb and a noun.
Where does the word “stare” come from?
The word “stare” comes from Old English. From Old English starian ("to stare, to be fixed or rigid"), related to the word "stark" — both come from a root meaning stiff or fixed.
Is “stare” a common word?
“Stare” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B1 level.
How many meanings does “stare” have?
“Stare” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: to look at something or someone for a long time without looking away.
What is the difference between stare and glare?
To stare is to look fixedly at someone or something for a long time, which can be curious, rude, or simply absent-minded. To glare is to stare angrily or fiercely, so a glare always shows hostility while a stare need not.
What is the difference between stare and gaze?
A gaze is a steady look that is often admiring, thoughtful, or gentle, while a stare is longer and more fixed and can feel intrusive or impolite. You might gaze at a sunset but stare at a stranger.
Is it stare or stair?
Stare and stair are homophones. Stare means to look fixedly, either as a verb or a noun for a long fixed look, while a stair is a single step or part of a staircase.
What preposition is used with stare?
Stare is most often followed by "at," as in "she stared at him." It also combines with "into" (staring into space) and "out of" (staring out of the window).
