Explanation at your level:
When you stare, your eyes stay open. You look at one thing for a long time. You do not move your eyes. It is like watching a movie, but you do not blink. Please do not stare at people because it is not polite!
To stare means to look at something for a long time. You might stare because you are surprised. You might stare at a beautiful painting in a museum. We usually say 'stare at' something. For example, 'He stared at the clock because he was bored.'
The verb stare implies a fixed, intense look. It is often used when someone is deep in thought or shocked by something unexpected. While 'looking' is a quick action, 'staring' suggests that you are keeping your focus on one point for a significant duration. Be careful, as staring at strangers is often considered rude in many cultures.
Stare is a verb that denotes a prolonged, steady gaze. It is frequently used to describe reactions to powerful stimuli, such as disbelief or intense concentration. In terms of register, it is neutral but can carry negative connotations if used in social contexts. Understanding the difference between 'glancing,' 'gazing,' and 'staring' is key to mastering English nuance.
In advanced English, stare often appears in figurative contexts. We might talk about 'staring at the truth' or 'staring down a problem.' It connotes a sense of confrontation or inescapable focus. The word carries a weight that suggests the subject is unable or unwilling to look away, whether due to fascination, fear, or profound realization.
The verb stare possesses a rich etymological history tied to rigidity, which informs its literary usage. It is often employed to convey psychological paralysis—the inability to avert one's gaze from a traumatic or mesmerizing event. In high-level discourse, it can describe a state of existential confrontation, such as 'staring into the void.' Mastering this word involves recognizing when the physical act of looking transcends into a deeper, symbolic engagement with one's surroundings.
Word in 30 Seconds
- Stare means to look fixedly.
- It is usually for a long time.
- It can be rude.
- Always use 'at' after it.
When you stare, you are doing more than just looking; you are locking your eyes onto a subject for an extended period. Think of it as a 'heavy' gaze that doesn't shift easily.
This word is often used when someone is surprised, confused, or simply lost in thought. While looking is a neutral act, staring often carries a specific weight or intensity that grabs attention.
In social settings, staring is often perceived as impolite. We teach children 'don't stare' because it can make others feel uncomfortable or exposed. However, in art or deep contemplation, a stare can be a sign of profound focus.
The word stare comes from the Old English word starian, which means 'to look fixedly.' It shares roots with the Old High German word starēn and the Proto-Germanic *starēn.
Historically, the root is connected to the idea of being 'stiff' or 'rigid.' This makes sense because when we stare, our facial muscles often become still, and our gaze becomes fixed, much like a statue.
Over centuries, the word has maintained its core meaning of intensity. It has evolved from describing simple physical rigidity to describing the psychological state of being transfixed by something in front of you.
You will most commonly see this word used with prepositions like at, into, or out of. For example, 'staring at the wall' or 'staring into space.'
In casual conversation, we often use it to describe boredom or shock: 'I just sat there staring at the screen.' In more formal or literary writing, it can describe a character's intense emotional state, such as 'staring into the abyss.'
Remember that stare is a verb, but it can also function as a noun (e.g., 'a cold stare'). Use it when the duration and intensity of the look are the most important parts of the action.
1. Stare someone down: To maintain eye contact until the other person looks away, often as a sign of dominance.
2. Stare into space: To look at nothing in particular, usually while daydreaming or feeling detached.
3. Staring contest: A game where two people try not to blink while looking at each other.
4. Stare blankly: To look without any expression or sign of understanding.
5. Stare death in the face: To be in a situation where you are very close to dying.
As a regular verb, the past tense is stared and the present participle is staring. Note that you drop the 'e' before adding 'ing'.
The pronunciation is /stɛər/ in both US and UK English, rhyming with care, bear, and air. It is a single-syllable word that is usually stressed heavily in a sentence to emphasize the action.
It is an intransitive verb, meaning it usually requires a preposition like 'at' to connect to an object. You don't 'stare a person'; you 'stare at a person.'
Fun Fact
It is related to the word 'stiff' because of the fixed facial expression.
Pronunciation Guide
Sounds like 'stair'.
Sounds like 'stair'.
Common Errors
- Pronouncing it like 'star'
- Adding an extra syllable
- Confusing with 'steer'
Rhymes With
Difficulty Rating
Easy to read
Needs correct preposition
Watch pronunciation
Easy to hear
What to Learn Next
Prerequisites
Learn Next
Advanced
Grammar to Know
Prepositions with verbs
stare at
Past tense regular verbs
stared
Verbs of perception
stare
Examples by Level
Do not stare at me.
Do not look-fixedly at me.
Imperative form.
The cat stared at the bird.
The cat looked-fixedly at the bird.
Past tense.
I stare at the book.
I look-fixedly at the book.
Simple present.
She stared at the door.
She looked-fixedly at the door.
Past tense.
He stared at the map.
He looked-fixedly at the map.
Past tense.
They stare at the stars.
They look-fixedly at the stars.
Simple present.
We stared at the fire.
We looked-fixedly at the fire.
Past tense.
Why do you stare?
Why do you look-fixedly?
Question form.
Stop staring at your phone.
He stared in surprise.
She stared out the window.
Don't stare at people.
The baby stared at the toy.
I stared at the blank page.
They stared at the bright lights.
He stared at his watch.
She stared at him in disbelief.
I found myself staring into space.
He stared down his opponent.
The teacher stared at the noisy class.
She stared at the photo for hours.
They stared at the beautiful view.
He stared at his reflection.
I stared at the menu for ten minutes.
He stared into the abyss of his own failures.
She stared intently at the evidence.
The crowd stared in collective shock.
He stared past me as if I weren't there.
She stared at the horizon, lost in thought.
They stared at the ruins of the city.
I stared at the screen, unable to process the news.
He stared at the painting, mesmerized.
She stared at the truth she had avoided for years.
He stared down the barrel of a difficult decision.
The silence was broken only by his staring at the fire.
She stared at the document with a cold, analytical eye.
He stared into the distance, contemplating his future.
They stared at the unfolding chaos with grim fascination.
I stared at the letter, paralyzed by its contents.
She stared at the stars, feeling insignificant.
He stared into the void, seeking answers that weren't there.
Her gaze was a cold stare that could silence a room.
He stared at the monument as if it held the secrets of the past.
She stared at the flickering candle, lost in a trance.
The detective stared at the crime scene with clinical detachment.
He stared at the horizon, a man resigned to his fate.
She stared at the photograph, tracing the lines of a lost memory.
The ancient statue seemed to stare back at those who walked by.
Common Collocations
Idioms & Expressions
"stare someone down"
To intimidate someone with a look.
He refused to look away and stared me down.
neutral"stare into space"
To look at nothing while thinking.
He was staring into space all morning.
neutral"staring contest"
A game of not blinking.
We had a staring contest for fun.
casual"stare death in the face"
To be near death.
He stared death in the face during the accident.
literary"stare blankly"
To look without expression.
She stared blankly when I asked her name.
neutral"stare someone in the face"
To be very obvious.
The answer was staring you in the face.
idiomaticEasily Confused
Both involve looking.
Glance is short; stare is long.
I glanced at the clock vs I stared at the clock.
Both are long looks.
Gaze is usually soft/admiring.
She gazed at the stars.
Both are fixed looks.
Glare is angry.
He glared at me.
Both involve focus.
Watch is for moving things.
I watched the game.
Sentence Patterns
Subject + stare + at + object
She stared at the wall.
Subject + stare + adverb
He stared blankly.
Subject + stare + prep phrase
They stared into the distance.
Subject + stare + down + object
She stared him down.
Subject + stare + in + emotion
He stared in disbelief.
Word Family
Nouns
Verbs
Adjectives
Related
How to Use It
7
Formality Scale
Common Mistakes
Stare always takes the preposition 'at'.
You don't need to mention eyes.
Stare is intransitive.
Use 'at' for a target.
Staring at is the correct collocation.
Tips
Rhyme Time
Remember 'stare' rhymes with 'stair'.
Use 'at'
Always use 'at' after stare.
Be Polite
Avoid staring in public.
Verb Form
Staring (drop the e).
Single Syllable
Don't add extra sounds.
Don't say stare to
Always use at.
Did You Know?
Staring can be a sign of love or anger.
Context
Write sentences about your day.
Eye Contact
Staring is different from eye contact.
Intransitive
It needs a preposition.
Memorize It
Mnemonic
Stare at the STAIR: I stare at the people walking up the stair.
Visual Association
A wide-eyed owl staring at a mouse.
Word Web
Challenge
Try not to stare at anyone for an entire day!
Word Origin
Old English
Original meaning: To look fixedly
Cultural Context
Avoid staring in public transport or at people you don't know.
In many Western cultures, staring is considered rude, especially at strangers.
Practice in Real Life
Real-World Contexts
Social
- Don't stare
- It's rude to stare
School
- Staring at the board
- Staring at the book
Work
- Staring at the screen
- Staring at the data
Art
- Staring at the painting
- Staring at the sculpture
Conversation Starters
"Do you ever stare into space?"
"When was the last time you stared at something in surprise?"
"Is it ever okay to stare at someone?"
"What do you think of people who stare?"
"Have you ever been in a staring contest?"
Journal Prompts
Describe a time you stared at something beautiful.
Write about a time you felt uncomfortable because someone was staring at you.
If you could stare at one thing for an hour, what would it be?
How does staring change your perception of an object?
Frequently Asked Questions
8 questionsYes, in many cultures.
Stared.
You watch a movie, you don't stare at it usually.
Yes, 'a cold stare'.
Gaze is usually more positive.
Yes, it means you are focused.
Yes.
Like 'stair'.
Test Yourself
Don't ___ at me!
Stare is the correct verb for a fixed look.
What does it mean to stare?
Staring is a long, fixed look.
Staring at strangers is usually polite.
It is generally considered rude.
Word
Meaning
Match the idiom to its meaning.
Subject + verb + prep + object.
Score: /5
Summary
To stare is to hold your gaze with intensity, often revealing more than words can say.
- Stare means to look fixedly.
- It is usually for a long time.
- It can be rude.
- Always use 'at' after it.
Rhyme Time
Remember 'stare' rhymes with 'stair'.
Use 'at'
Always use 'at' after stare.
Be Polite
Avoid staring in public.
Verb Form
Staring (drop the e).
Example
It's rude to stare at people you don't know.
Related Content
This Word in Other Languages
Related Phrases
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absorb
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abstain
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abvictly
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accept
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acquiesce
C1To accept something reluctantly but without protest. It describes a situation where someone agrees to a demand or proposal, often because they feel they have no other choice or do not wish to argue.
