gaze: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
B1Formal, neutral, literary
Quick answer
What does “gaze” mean?
To look steadily and intently, especially in admiration, interest, or thought.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
To look steadily and intently, especially in admiration, interest, or thought.
A steady, fixed look. In scientific or poetic contexts, it can refer to a distant or abstracted visual attention.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Minimal; the word is used identically in both varieties.
Connotations
Identical connotations of intensity and duration.
Frequency
Equally common in both British and American English.
Grammar
How to Use “gaze” in a Sentence
gaze at/on/upon/into something/someonegaze out of/through/from (a window etc.)gaze (intransitive)Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “gaze” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- He would often gaze out at the rainy London streets.
- She gazed thoughtfully at the portrait in the gallery.
American English
- We gazed at the Grand Canyon in awe.
- He gazed out the window at the passing traffic.
adverb
British English
- 'Gaze' does not have an adverb form. Related adverb: 'gazingly' (archaic/rare).
American English
- 'Gaze' does not have an adverb form. Related adverb: 'gazingly' (archaic/rare).
adjective
British English
- 'Gaze' is not commonly used as an adjective. 'Gazing' is the participial adjective: 'the gazing tourists'.
American English
- 'Gaze' is not commonly used as an adjective. 'Gazing' is the participial adjective: 'the gazing crowd'.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rare; possibly in 'under the gaze of regulators'.
Academic
Used in literature analysis (e.g., 'the male gaze'), psychology, and phenomenology.
Everyday
Common for describing looking at scenery, people with interest, or daydreaming.
Technical
Used in eye-tracking studies and visual perception research.
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “gaze”
- Using 'gaze' for a quick look. Incorrect: *'I gazed at my watch to check the time.'
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
'Gaze' often implies admiration, curiosity, or wonder, and is usually neutral or positive. 'Stare' is more intense, can be rude, and often implies surprise, disbelief, or rudeness.
Yes, 'gaze' is commonly used as a noun (e.g., 'She met his gaze').
It is more formal than 'look' but common in both written and spoken English. It has a literary quality.
Most commonly 'gaze at', 'gaze into', 'gaze out of/through', and 'gaze upon' (more literary).
To look steadily and intently, especially in admiration, interest, or thought.
Gaze: in British English it is pronounced /ɡeɪz/, and in American English it is pronounced /ɡeɪz/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “gaze into space”
- “gaze into the distance”
- “gaze into the abyss”
- “gaze longingly”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
GAZE sounds like 'haze' – when you gaze, your mind might be in a haze of thought.
Conceptual Metaphor
ATTENTION IS A BEAM OF LIGHT (e.g., 'He fixed his gaze on her.').
Practice
Quiz
Which sentence uses 'gaze' CORRECTLY?