stare
highNeutral to informal; common in everyday speech but can be used in formal contexts depending on phrasing.
Definition
Meaning
To look fixedly or intently at someone or something with eyes wide open, often for a prolonged period.
Can imply curiosity, surprise, rudeness, shock, or deep concentration; sometimes used to describe an intense or uncomfortable gaze.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
Staring is often context-dependent—it may be perceived as intrusive or impolite, but can also indicate fascination or absent-mindedness.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant differences in meaning or usage; both varieties use 'stare' similarly.
Connotations
In both, staring often connotes intensity, rudeness, or curiosity; cultural norms around eye contact may influence interpretation.
Frequency
Equally common in British and American English.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
stare at [object]stare into [space/distance]stare [adverb] at [object]stare [object] downVocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “stare someone down”
- “stare into space”
- “stare death in the face”
- “stare a hole through someone”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Rare; might appear in descriptions, e.g., 'He stared at the financial report, perplexed.'
Academic
Used in psychology or literature to describe gaze behavior, e.g., 'The study examined how staring affects social interactions.'
Everyday
Very common, e.g., 'Don't stare at strangers; it's considered rude.'
Technical
In vision science or optometry, referring to fixed gaze or visual attention, e.g., 'Prolonged staring can cause eye strain.'
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- He stared at the telly for hours without blinking.
- She stared out the window whilst waiting for the bus.
American English
- She stared at the TV during the entire game.
- He stared out the window while thinking about his decision.
adverb
British English
- The error was staringly obvious to the examiner.
- He looked staringly at the old photograph.
American English
- It was staringly clear that she was upset.
- She watched staringly as the events unfolded.
adjective
British English
- His staring eyes made the children feel uneasy.
- The staring contest in the pub was quite intense.
American English
- Her staring expression was hard to ignore during the meeting.
- They had a staring match at the park.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- The dog stared at the bone on the table.
- Don't stare at people; it's not polite.
- She stared at the map, trying to find her way.
- His constant stare made her feel uncomfortable.
- During the lecture, he stared blankly at the board, lost in thought.
- The artist's stare conveyed a deep sense of melancholy in the portrait.
- The detective's unwavering stare intimidated the suspect into confessing.
- In cognitive studies, prolonged staring is linked to attentional processing deficits.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of 'star' in stare—like staring at stars in the sky, which are distant and captivating.
Conceptual Metaphor
GAZE IS A BEAM OF ATTENTION; STARING IS EXAMINING INTENSELY.
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Confusing 'stare' with 'смотреть', which is more general; 'stare' implies intensity and duration.
- Mistaking it for 'глядеть' without considering the connotation of rudeness.
- Overusing 'stare' where 'look' or 'watch' would be more appropriate in neutral contexts.
Common Mistakes
- Omitting 'at' after 'stare', e.g., 'He stared the painting' (incorrect) vs. 'He stared at the painting' (correct).
- Using 'stare' in overly formal writing without rephrasing for nuance.
- Confusing 'stare' with 'star' in spelling or pronunciation.
Practice
Quiz
Which sentence uses 'stare' correctly?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Not always; it depends on context. Staring can indicate curiosity, surprise, or deep thought, but in many social situations, prolonged eye contact is seen as intrusive or impolite.
Yes, 'stare' can function as a noun meaning a fixed gaze, e.g., 'He gave her a cold stare.'
'Stare' often implies intensity, rudeness, or prolonged looking, while 'gaze' is more neutral and can suggest admiration, contemplation, or casual looking.
The past tense is 'stared', e.g., 'Yesterday, she stared at the painting for a long time.'