English Meaning & Definitions
To move a spoon or other implement around in a liquid or other substance in order to mix it thoroughly.
- “Stir the soup gently so that it does not burn at the bottom of the pot.”
- “She stirred a spoonful of sugar into her morning coffee.”
To rouse, excite, or provoke strong feelings or reactions in someone.
- “The speaker's powerful words stirred the crowd to action.”
- “The music stirred memories of her childhood.”
A state of excitement, agitation, or public commotion.
- “The announcement of the new policy caused quite a stir in the office.”
- “The scandal created a major stir throughout the country.”
Comprehensive Thesaurus Breakdown
Compare formal, informal, literary synonyms and register nuances for “stir”.
Derived from the Old English 'styrian', meaning to move, excite, or disturb. It shares roots with the Middle Dutch 'stōren' and Old High German 'stōren', reflecting a Proto-Germanic origin related to the concept of putting something into motion or causing a disturbance.
Think of a spoon in a cup: you 'stir' the liquid to make it move.
Frequently Asked Questions About “stir”
1. What is the meaning of “stir” in English?
In English, stir (verb) is defined as: “To move a spoon or other implement around in a liquid or other substance in order to mix it thoroughly.”.
2. How do you use “stir” in a sentence?
“Stir the soup gently so that it does not burn at the bottom of the pot.”
4. What is the etymology and word origin of “stir”?
Derived from the Old English 'styrian', meaning to move, excite, or disturb. It shares roots with the Middle Dutch 'stōren' and Old High German 'stōren', reflecting a Proto-Germanic origin related to the concept of putting something into motion or causing a disturbance.
🇬🇧More English Words to English
View all English words →The base unit of time in the International System of Units (SI), equal to the duration of 9,192,631,770 periods of the radiation corresponding to the transition between the two hyperfine levels of the ground state of the caesium-133 atom.
A specific duration of time equal to one hour and forty-six minutes and twelve seconds.
The cardinal number equal to one thousand million (1,000,000,000), expressed in scientific notation as 10^9.
A specific duration of time equivalent to one hour and forty-six minutes.