adj
Common
staring
STEH-uh-rihng
Staring (adj) means looking fixedly with wide-open eyes. Example: “The little boy gave the magician a staring look, his mouth hanging open.”
adj
1
Looking fixedly with wide-open eyes.
"The little boy gave the magician a staring look, his mouth hanging open."
"A staring owl sat motionless on the fence, watching us pass."
"The staring crowd made her nervous."
noun
1
The act of looking at something fixedly.
"Staring at strangers on the train is considered rude in most places."
"The toddler's wide-eyed staring at the snow lasted until his mother called him in."
"His constant staring made everyone uncomfortable."
How to use staring
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishThe action or manner of looking fixedly at something.
Common pairings
staring eyes
staring contest
wide-eyed staring
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Word forms
- Plural
- starings
- Comparative
- more staring
- Superlative
- most staring
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The little boy gave the magician a _____ look, his mouth hanging open.
Synonyms
View more →Antonyms
Related words
Rhymes for staring
See all rhymes for staring →Frequently asked questions
What does “staring” mean?
The word “staring” means looking fixedly with wide-open eyes. In plain terms, the action or manner of looking fixedly at something.
How do you pronounce “staring”?
“Staring” is pronounced STEH-uh-rihng (/ˈstɛɹɪŋ/ in IPA).
How do you use “staring” in a sentence?
Here is “staring” used in a sentence: “The staring crowd made her nervous.”
What part of speech is “staring”?
Depending on how it is used, “staring” can be an adjective and a noun.
Is “staring” a common word?
“Staring” is a fairly common word in modern English.
How many meanings does “staring” have?
“Staring” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: looking fixedly with wide-open eyes.
What is the difference between staring and gazing?
"Gazing" suggests a soft, steady, often admiring or dreamy look, as in gazing at the stars. "Staring" is more fixed and intense and can come across as rude or challenging.
What is the difference between staring and glaring?
"Staring" is a neutral description of looking fixedly with wide-open eyes, without any set emotion. "Glaring" adds anger or hostility, so a glare is an angry stare.
When is staring considered impolite?
Staring at a stranger, or at someone's body or disability, is widely seen as rude because the fixed, prolonged look feels intrusive. A brief glance is usually acceptable, but a sustained stare tends to make people uncomfortable.
What words commonly follow staring?
"Staring" is most often followed by "at" (staring at the screen) or "into" (staring into space, staring into the distance). The related phrase "a blank stare" describes an empty, expressionless fixed look.
