Word
stare
US/ˈstɛɹ/
UK/stˈeə/
Definitions
01to look fixedly
B1 · Intermediate
v. to look at someone or something for a long time with your eyes wide open.
v. to gaze fixedly and intently, often with wide-open eyes. Intransitive, typically taking the preposition 'at'.
日本語:じっと見つめる※
“The little boy started to stare at the man's colorful hat.”
“She continued to stare at the horizon long after the ship had disappeared, lost in a profound sense of melancholy.”
Pitfall
It is rude to stare someone.
It is rude to stare at someone.
The verb 'stare' requires the preposition 'at' when followed by an object.
02a long look
B2 · Upper Intermediate Countable noun
n. a long, steady look at someone or something.
n. a fixed, persistent, or intent look.
“He gave her a long, cold stare that made her feel uncomfortable.”
“The professor met the student's excuse with a skeptical stare, waiting for a more plausible explanation for the missing assignment.”
Antonyms
Collocations
Common phrases and expressions where native English speakers use the word “stare” in context.
Verb
01. stare blankly
“He stared blankly at the screen, unable to process the bad news he had just received.”
verb + adv
02. stare in disbelief
“The crowd stared in disbelief as the underdog won the race in the final seconds.”
verb + prep + noun
03. stare intently at the painting
“The art student stared intently at the painting to study the brushwork.”
verb + adv + prep + noun
04. stare into space
“She sat by the window and stared into space, lost in her own thoughts.”
verb + prep + noun
Preposition
05. stare with curiosity
“The children stared with curiosity at the strange new animal in the zoo.”
verb + prep + noun
Adverb
06. coldly stare at the rival
“The two boxers stood in the ring and coldly stared at the rival before the match began.”
adv + verb + prep + noun
07. rudely stare at the strangers
“It is considered impolite to rudely stare at the strangers on the train.”
adv + verb + prep + noun
Real-World Examples
“Normally if we stare at it, we wince and quickly look away.” “I have spent more than two decades staring at maps.” “Isherwood’s head is turned toward Bachardy, who stares directly at the viewer.” Etymology
From Middle English staren, from Old English starian (“to stare”), from Proto-West Germanic starēn, from Proto-Germanic starjaną, starāną (“to be fixed, be rigid”), from Proto-Indo-European ster-. Cognate with Dutch staren (“to stare”), German starren (“to stare”), German starr (“stiff”). More at start.
From Middle English star, ster, from Old English stær (“starling”), from Proto-Germanic starô (“starling”), from Proto-Indo-European stor- (“starling”). Cognate with German Star (“starling”), Danish stær (“starling”), Swedish stare (“starling”), Norwegian Nynorsk stare (“starling”), Icelandic stari (“starling”). Compare also Old English stearn (“a type of bird, starling”).
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Related words
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.B2 FirstIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.5.5–6.5TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 4.0–4.572–94TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.785–944
- Frequency
- Frequent
- Level
- B2 · Upper IntermediateOxford
- Updated
- アルファベット
- 読み方の一覧 →
QR code
englishreference.com/q/stare
※ 機械で選んだ訳語です。ネイティブスピーカーによる確認はまだです。
「日本語」 data: JMdict (EDRDG), CC BY-SA 4.0