51Թ

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View synonyms for

stir

1

[stur]

verb (used with object)

stirred, stirring 
  1. to move one's hand or an implement continuously or repeatedly through (a liquid or other substance) in order to cool, mix, agitate, dissolve, etc., any or all of the component parts.

    to stir one's coffee with a spoon.

    Synonyms: , ,
  2. to set in tremulous, fluttering, or irregular motion.

    A soft breeze stirred the leaves.

  3. to affect strongly; excite.

    to stir pity;

    to stir one's heart.

  4. to incite, instigate, or provoke (usually followed byup ).

    to stir up a people to rebellion.

    Synonyms: , , , , , , , ,
  5. to move briskly; bestir.

    to stir oneself.

  6. to move, especially in a slight way.

    He would not stir a finger to help them.

  7. to rouse from inactivity, quiet, contentment, indifference, etc. (usually followed byup ).

    to stir up his potential.

  8. to bring up for notice or discussion.

  9. Older Use.to disturb; trouble.

    A slow wave of remembrance stirred her peace.



verb (used without object)

stirred, stirring 
  1. to move, especially slightly or lightly.

    Not a leaf stirred.

  2. to move around, especially briskly; be active.

    Everyone in the house was stirring.

  3. to become active, as from some rousing or quickening impulse.

  4. to be emotionally moved or strongly affected.

  5. to be in circulation, current, or afoot.

    Is there any news stirring?

noun

  1. the act of stirring or moving.

  2. the sound made by stirring or moving slightly.

  3. a state or occasion of general excitement; commotion.

    The news created a stir.

    Synonyms: , , , , ,
    Antonyms:
  4. a mental impulse, sensation, or feeling.

    a stir of hope.

  5. a jog, poke, or thrust.

    He gave the refuse a stir with his foot.

  6. movement, especially brisk and busy movement.

    There was too much clamor and stir for her.

stir

2

[stur]

noun

Slang.
  1. prison.

stir

1

/ ɜː /

verb

  1. to move an implement such as a spoon around in (a liquid) so as to mix up the constituents

    she stirred the porridge

  2. to change or cause to change position; disturb or be disturbed

    he stirred in his sleep

  3. to venture or depart (from one's usual or preferred place)

    he won't stir from the fireside

  4. (intr) to be active after a rest; be up and about

  5. (tr) to excite or stimulate, esp emotionally

  6. to move (oneself) briskly or vigorously; exert (oneself)

  7. (tr) to rouse or awaken

    to stir someone from sleep

    to stir memories

  8. informalto cause or incite others to cause (trouble, arguments, etc)

  9. informalto move or become active

“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

noun

  1. the act or an instance of stirring or the state of being stirred

  2. a strong reaction, esp of excitement

    his publication caused a stir

  3. a slight movement

  4. informala noisy party

“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Stir.

2

abbreviation

  1. Stirlingshire

“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

stir

3

/ ɜː /

noun

  1. a slang word for prison

    in stir

“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
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Other 51Թ Forms

  • stirrable adjective
  • stirless adjective
  • stirlessly adverb
  • unstirrable adjective
  • unstirred adjective
  • well-stirred adjective
  • ˈپ adjective
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51Թ History and Origins

Origin of stir1

First recorded before 900; Middle English verb stiren, Old English styrian; cognate with German ö “to disturb, interrupt”; akin to Old Norse styrr “disturbance, brawl”; storm

Origin of stir2

First rcorded in 1830–35; argot word of obscure origin; perhaps from Romani sturiben ‼Dz,” staripen “imprison”; compare earlier argot start in same sense
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51Թ History and Origins

Origin of stir1

Old English styrian; related to Middle High German ü to poke, stir, Norwegian styrja to cause a commotion; see storm , sturgeon

Origin of stir2

C19: perhaps from Romany stariben prison
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Idioms and Phrases

Idioms
  1. stir the pot. pot.

In addition to the idioms beginning with stir, also see cause a commotion (stir).
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Synonym Study

See ado.
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Example Sentences

Examples have not been reviewed.

But in the fleet, pacey manner of the editing, toggling between private and public moments with highlight-reel efficiency, the film is a stirring glimpse of top-down kindness as a winning leadership style.

From

She stirs spirits with the barely heard whooshes of drum brushes waved in the air.

From

Away from the set, Butler caused quite a stir when spotted out and about in Belfast and nearby towns.

From

Use it like aioli: spread onto a turkey sandwich, stirred into a chicken salad, or thinned with lemon juice and olive oil for a creamy, citrusy dressing.

From

"Being in big teams and groups all the time, I'm always mixing things up, stirring the pot," he said.

From

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Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.

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