stir
stur
Stir (verb) means to mix a liquid or substance by moving an object like a spoon through it. Example: “Stir the sugar into your tea until it dissolves.”
verb
1
To mix a liquid or substance by moving an object like a spoon through it.
"Stir the sugar into your tea until it dissolves."
"She stirred the soup so it wouldn't stick to the pan."
"Stir the paint well before you use it."
2
To move slightly, especially after being still, or to begin waking up.
"The sleeping dog stirred when she opened the door."
"The baby stirred but didn't wake."
"A light breeze stirred the curtains."
3
To provoke a strong emotion or reaction in someone.
"The old photographs stirred happy memories of our childhood."
"Her kind words stirred a deep sense of gratitude in him."
"The speech stirred the crowd to action."
noun
1
A commotion or strong reaction, especially in public opinion.
"The new rules caused a stir among parents at the school gates."
"His strange outfit created a stir at the wedding."
"The announcement caused quite a stir in the office."
How to use stir
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishMixing something with a circular motion, or a small movement/reaction — including a stirring of public excitement.
Common mistake
"Stir" as slang for prison ("in the stir") is old-fashioned/informal and rarely used today.
Common pairings
stir the pot
cause a stir
stir to action
stir gently
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Word forms
- Plural
- stirs
- Third person singular
- stirs
- Past tense
- stirred
- Archaic forms
- stirredst, stirrest, stirreth
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
_____ the sugar into your tea until it dissolves.
Etymology
From Old English styrian, "to move, agitate, disturb" — related to German stören, "to disturb."
Synonyms
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Related words
Frequently asked questions
What does “stir” mean?
The word “stir” means to mix a liquid or substance by moving an object like a spoon through it. In plain terms, mixing something with a circular motion, or a small movement/reaction — including a stirring of public excitement.
How do you pronounce “stir”?
“Stir” is pronounced stur (/stɝ/ in IPA).
How do you use “stir” in a sentence?
Here is “stir” used in a sentence: “She stirred the soup so it wouldn't stick to the pan.”
What part of speech is “stir”?
Depending on how it is used, “stir” can be a verb and a noun.
Where does the word “stir” come from?
The word “stir” comes from Old English. From Old English styrian, "to move, agitate, disturb" — related to German stören, "to disturb.".
Is “stir” a common word?
“Stir” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B1 level.
How many meanings does “stir” have?
“Stir” has 4 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: to mix a liquid or substance by moving an object like a spoon through it.
What is the difference between 'stir' and 'mix'?
To stir is to move a spoon or similar object round through a liquid or loose substance, usually to blend it or keep it moving. To mix is the broader act of combining two or more things into one, which may involve stirring, beating, shaking, or folding. All stirring is a form of mixing, but not all mixing is done by stirring.
When is 'stir' used to describe emotions?
'Stir' is used with emotions when something awakens or provokes a strong feeling, as in 'the film stirred deep memories.' In this sense it suggests bringing feelings to life rather than leaving them dormant. It is common in descriptive or literary writing.
