# gazing

/ˈɡeɪzɪŋ/ (US) · /ɡˈeɪzɪŋ/ (UK) · CEFR B2 · Verb

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/gazing
Updated: 2026-05-07

## Definition

looking at something for a long time, usually because it is beautiful or because you are thinking deeply.

For teachers: looking steadily and intently at something, often in admiration, surprise, or thought. Present participle of 'gaze'.

## Examples

- She is gazing at the stars from her balcony.
- The tourists spent the entire afternoon gazing at the ancient ruins, mesmerized by the scale of the architecture.
- While the philosopher sat by the window gazing at the falling snow, he found the quiet isolation necessary for completing his final manuscript.

## Pitfalls

- Not "He was gazing the painting." but "He was gazing at the painting." — Gazing is an intransitive verb and requires the preposition 'at' before the object.

## Usage notes

- Intransitive; almost always followed by the preposition 'at'.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.