stir
/stɜː(r)/- 1.
To move a liquid or mixture around with a spoon or similar tool. This helps mix the ingredients evenly.
- Stir the soup before serving.
- Please stir the sugar into the tea.
- 2.
To make people feel or think something strongly. It often means to cause emotion, interest, or action.
- The story stirred strong emotions.
- Her speech stirred the crowd to act.
- 3.
To move slightly or wake up from stillness or sleep. It can also mean to begin moving after being quiet.
- He did not stir all night.
- The baby stirred in her sleep.
A small movement, especially when someone was still or sleeping. It can also mean a feeling or sign of excitement.
- There was not a stir in the room.
- The news caused a stir online.
Adinary Nuance
Stir is close to mix, agitate, and move, but it is more specific. Use stir when you are moving something gently, especially food or liquid. For emotions or public reaction, stir feels more vivid than cause or create. In everyday English, it is also common for small movement: "Don’t stir."
In other languages
- Vietnamese
- khuấy
- Spanish
- remover
- Chinese
- 搅拌
- Japanese
- かき混ぜる
- Korean
- 젓다
Etymology
Stir comes from Old English styrian, meaning to move or agitate. It has been used in English since before the 12th century.
Common phrases
Synonyms
Related words
Frequently asked questions
- What is the difference between stir and mix?
- Stir usually means moving something in circles with a spoon or tool. Mix is broader and can mean combining things in many ways.
- Is stir a formal word?
- No, stir is common in everyday English. It is also used in writing when you want a lively or emotional effect.
- Can stir mean to wake up?
- Yes. If someone stirs, they move a little after being still or asleep.
- What does cause a stir mean?
- It means to create attention, surprise, or excitement. People notice and talk about it.