stare out: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
B2Informal to neutral.
Quick answer
What does “stare out” mean?
To gaze fixedly and defiantly at someone, often as a challenge, until they look away.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
To gaze fixedly and defiantly at someone, often as a challenge, until they look away.
To endure a psychological contest of wills through persistent looking; to face down an opponent with a look.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Both use the confrontational sense identically. However, 'stare out the window' is common in US English, whereas 'stare out of the window' is more typical in UK English.
Connotations
In both, it implies a deliberate, often aggressive challenge. It is strongly associated with playground/childhood behaviour, sports psychology, and intimidating tactics.
Frequency
Equally common in both varieties for the confrontational sense.
Grammar
How to Use “stare out” in a Sentence
[Subject] stare [Object] out[Subject] stare out [Object][Subject] and [Subject] stare each other outVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “stare out” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The two boxers tried to stare each other out during the weigh-in.
- He managed to stare out the intimidating interviewer.
- She stared out of the train window at the passing countryside.
American English
- The kids had a contest to see who could stare out their friend.
- You can't just stare me out; you have to actually answer the question.
- He stared out the window, lost in thought.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rare; could be used metaphorically: 'Our strategy is to stare out the competition during this price war.'
Academic
Very rare outside psychology/sociology descriptions of non-verbal dominance behaviour.
Everyday
Common for describing childish challenges, sports mind games, or tense interpersonal moments.
Technical
Used in ethology and psychology to describe dominance-establishing behaviour in humans and animals.
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “stare out”
- Using 'stare out' to mean simply 'look outside' in a confrontational context. Confusing 'stare out' (phrasal verb) with the separable verb+preposition 'stare out of the window'. Using it without an object when a challenge is implied: 'They stared out for minutes' is unclear; 'They stared each other out' is correct.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No. 'Stare out the window' is not confrontational. The confrontational sense requires a human (or animal) object that can reciprocate the gaze and be challenged.
They are synonyms, but 'outstare' is slightly more literary/formal. 'Stare out' is more common in everyday speech.
Only metaphorically. It would mean to face down a difficult situation with defiant endurance, treating the situation as an opponent.
Yes. You can say 'stare the opponent out' or 'stare out the opponent'. The pronoun must go in the middle: 'stare him out'.
To gaze fixedly and defiantly at someone, often as a challenge, until they look away.
Stare out is usually informal to neutral. in register.
Stare out: in British English it is pronounced /steə(r) aʊt/, and in American English it is pronounced /ster aʊt/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “A staring contest”
- “Don't blink first.”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of two STARS (sounds like 'stare') trying to OUTshine each other in the sky. The one that lasts longer, wins.
Conceptual Metaphor
VISION IS A CONFLICT / EYES ARE WEAPONS.
Practice
Quiz
What is the primary meaning of 'stare someone out'?