stir
B1Neutral to informal, depending on sense (e.g., 'stir trouble' is informal).
Definition
Meaning
To move a liquid or substance around with a spoon, stick, or similar object.
To cause to move, to arouse feelings or activity; to provoke or incite.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
The verb has a primary physical sense (mixing) and several metaphorical extensions (arousing emotions, causing trouble, leaving a place). The noun form ('commotion') derives from the metaphorical sense.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Usage is very similar. Noun sense 'prison' ('in stir') is archaic/slang and more common in older British usage. The phrasal verb 'stir up' is equally common.
Connotations
Identical core connotations.
Frequency
Both physical and metaphorical senses are equally frequent in both varieties.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
[V] + direct object (stir the tea)[V] + adverb/prepositional phrase (stir in the sugar)[V] + up + NP (stir up controversy)Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “stir up a hornet's nest”
- “cause a stir”
- “stir the pot”
- “stir one's stumps (old-fashioned, BrE)”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Metaphorical: 'The new CEO's announcement stirred considerable debate among investors.'
Academic
Metaphorical: 'The researcher's paper stirred new interest in the long-neglected theory.'
Everyday
Physical: 'Could you stir the pasta sauce while I answer the door?'
Technical
In chemistry/cooking: 'Stir the solution at 200 rpm for five minutes to ensure homogeneity.'
Examples
By Part of Speech
noun
British English
- Her resignation caused quite a stir in the office.
- He spent five years in stir for the robbery.
American English
- The sudden policy change created a major stir.
- The old gangster did a long stretch in stir.
verb
British English
- Stir the tea before you add the milk.
- The documentary stirred up quite a controversy in the press.
- He hasn't stirred from his study all afternoon.
- You'd better stir yourself if you want to catch that train!
American English
- Stir the batter until it's smooth.
- Her speech stirred the crowd to action.
- I didn't stir from the couch all weekend.
- The investigative report is sure to stir things up in Washington.
adverb
British English
- (No adverbial form.)
American English
- (No adverbial form.)
adjective
British English
- (No common adjectival form. 'Stirring' is a participial adjective: 'a stirring speech'.)
American English
- (No common adjectival form. 'Stirring' is a participial adjective: 'stirring events'.)
Examples
By CEFR Level
- Please stir your hot chocolate.
- Don't stir the paint too fast.
- Stir the onions in the pan for five minutes.
- The sad movie stirred her emotions.
- The politician's careless remarks stirred up resentment among voters.
- Add the flour, stirring constantly to avoid lumps.
- The biography stirred long-buried memories of her childhood.
- The judge's controversial ruling is likely to stir a hornet's nest of legal challenges.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine a STIRring rod in a chemistry lab—it moves things around. The word itself sounds like a soft, swirling movement.
Conceptual Metaphor
EMOTION/ACTIVITY IS A FLUID (to stir emotions = to cause emotions to move like a fluid); CAUSING TROUBLE IS MIXING (to stir up trouble = to mix up a bad situation).
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Do not confuse with 'steer' (управлять). 'Stir' is помешивать, шевелить, вызывать.
- The idiom 'cause a stir' (вызвать переполох) is a fixed phrase not directly related to physical mixing.
- In cooking contexts, distinguish from 'beat' (взбивать) or 'whip' (взбивать) – 'stir' is gentler.
Common Mistakes
- Incorrect: 'He stirred the sugar on his tea.' Correct: 'He stirred the sugar into his tea.'
- Incorrect: 'The news stirred to anger.' Correct: 'The news stirred him to anger.' or 'The news stirred anger in him.'
Practice
Quiz
In the sentence 'The exposé caused a real stir,' what does 'stir' mean?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, while most common for liquids or semi-liquids (soup, paint), it can be used for loose solids like sugar in a bowl or metaphorical 'substances' like emotions or trouble.
'Stir' implies a circular or gentle moving motion, often with a tool. 'Mix' is more general and can involve more vigorous or thorough combination (e.g., using a machine). You stir a cup of tea, but you mix concrete.
Yes, intransitively. E.g., 'Not a leaf stirred' (nothing moved). Also in phrasal verbs like 'stir up' (He loves to stir up).
It is dated slang for 'prison' (e.g., 'He was sent to stir'). This is now considered archaic or used only in historical/criminal contexts.