stared: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
B1Neutral (used across formal, informal, and literary contexts)
Quick answer
What does “stared” mean?
To look fixedly or intently at someone or something with wide-open eyes, often due to surprise, curiosity, anger, or lack of awareness.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
To look fixedly or intently at someone or something with wide-open eyes, often due to surprise, curiosity, anger, or lack of awareness.
To be conspicuously visible or obvious; to stand out. To gaze vacantly or in deep thought.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in meaning or usage. Spelling and pronunciation are consistent.
Connotations
Identical connotations of intensity, rudeness, surprise, or fixation in both varieties.
Frequency
Equally common in both British and American English.
Grammar
How to Use “stared” in a Sentence
[Subject] stared at [Object].[Subject] stared [Object] in the face (idiomatic).[Subject] stared [Object] down.Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “stared” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The child stared at the colourful sweets in the shop window.
- He stared, utterly baffled by the cryptic crossword clue.
American English
- She stared at her phone, waiting for the important text.
- The witness stared blankly, unable to recall the details.
adverb
British English
- N/A (The related adverb is 'staringly', but it is very rare).
American English
- N/A (The related adverb is 'staringly', but it is very rare).
adjective
British English
- N/A (The adjective form is 'staring', as in 'staring eyes').
American English
- N/A (The adjective form is 'staring', as in 'a staring contest').
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rare. Might be used in narratives, e.g., 'The board members stared at the disastrous quarterly report.'
Academic
Rare in formal writing, but appears in literary analysis or psychological studies of non-verbal behaviour.
Everyday
Very common for describing reactions of surprise, rudeness, or deep thought.
Technical
Not typically used in technical contexts.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “stared”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “stared”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “stared”
- Incorrect: 'He stared to the picture.' Correct: 'He stared at the picture.'
- Incorrect: 'She was staring me.' Correct: 'She was staring at me.'
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
'Stare' often implies intensity, rudeness, surprise, or vacancy. 'Gaze' suggests a more prolonged, thoughtful, often admiring or wistful look, usually at something pleasant.
Not always, but it often can be. Context is key. Staring in curiosity at a unique object is neutral. Staring intently at a person can be threatening, rude, or indicate deep attraction. Staring blankly suggests distraction or shock.
It almost always takes the preposition 'at' (e.g., stare at someone). In idiomatic phrases, it can take others (e.g., stare into space, stare out the window).
Yes, though less common. For example, 'He stared in awe at the beautiful painting.' The intensity of the stare is driven by positive wonder rather than negativity.
To look fixedly or intently at someone or something with wide-open eyes, often due to surprise, curiosity, anger, or lack of awareness.
Stared is usually neutral (used across formal, informal, and literary contexts) in register.
Stared: in British English it is pronounced /steəd/, and in American English it is pronounced /sterd/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “stared into space”
- “stared death in the face”
- “the answer was staring me in the face”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a STAR. When you stare, your eyes are wide open like stars. 'She stared at the stars.'
Conceptual Metaphor
ATTENTION IS A BEAM OF LIGHT (e.g., 'His eyes bored into her.'); INTENSE LOOKING IS A PHYSICAL FORCE (e.g., 'She stared him down.').
Practice
Quiz
Which of the following sentences uses 'stared' INCORRECTLY?