stir
Stir (verb) means to mix a liquid or substance by moving an object like a spoon through it. Example: “She stirred the soup so it wouldn't stick to the pan.”
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.
"Stir" as slang for prison ("in the stir") is old-fashioned/informal and rarely used today.
Word forms
stirred past tense, stir plural, stirred plural, stirs plural, stirs plural, stirs singular, stir singular, stirred singular, stirredst singular, stirrest singular, stirreth singular
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
_____ the paint well before you use it.
Etymology
From Old English styrian, "to move, agitate, disturb" — related to German stören, "to disturb."
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.