# stirring

/ˈstɝɪŋ/ (US) · /stˈɜːɹɪŋ/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/stirring
Updated: 2026-06-20

## Senses

### 1. inspiring

adjective · CEFR C1 · Literary

causing strong feelings of excitement, pride, or energy.

For teachers: evoking strong positive emotions, particularly inspiration, enthusiasm, or resolve.

- The leader gave a stirring speech that made everyone want to help.
- The film concludes with a stirring orchestral score that perfectly captures the protagonist's hard-won triumph over adversity.

### 2. a beginning feeling

noun · CEFR C1 · Literary

the very beginning of a feeling, an idea, or a movement.

For teachers: the initial sign or early development of a feeling, tendency, or social activity.

- She felt the first stirrings of doubt about her decision to move.
- The late eighteenth century witnessed the first stirrings of the industrial revolution in the small textile towns of northern England.

### 3. mixing or moving

noun · CEFR B2

the act of moving a spoon around in a liquid or a slight physical movement.

For teachers: the act of agitating a substance or a slight physical displacement.

- The sauce needs constant stirring so it does not burn on the bottom.
- After hours of silence in the forest, the sudden stirring of leaves suggested a large animal was approaching the camp.

## Examples

- She felt a stirring of hope after the meeting.
- The first stirrings of spring were visible in the small green buds on the trees.
- The speech caused a stirring of national pride that many observers believed would eventually lead to a significant shift in the country's political landscape.

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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.