English Reference

Word

staring

Phoneticsstar·ing

US/ˈstɛɹɪŋ/

UK/stˈeəɹɪŋ/

Definitions

02the act of looking

B1

n. the act of looking at someone or something for a long time.

n. the gerund form used as a noun to describe the action of gazing fixedly.

“Constant staring can make other people feel very uncomfortable.”

“The prolonged staring of the crowd made the street performer visibly nervous during his routine.”

Usage

Often used as the subject of a sentence or after a preposition.

Synonyms

03wide-eyed

B2

adj. describing eyes that are wide open and looking fixedly.

adj. describing a fixed, wide-eyed expression or the eyes themselves in such a state.

“The cat watched the bird with wide, staring eyes.”

“The witness gave a staring look of pure terror as she recounted the events of the previous night.”

Usage

Usually placed before the noun it describes.

Synonyms

fixedwide-eyed

This entry

Level
A2 · Elementary
Frequency
Common
Updated

Scan code

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