stir
7 ENTRIES FOUND:
stirs;
stirred;
stirring
stirs;
stirred;
stirring
Britannica Dictionary definition of STIR
1
[+ object]
:
to mix (something) by making circular movements in it with a spoon or similar object
-
She stirred her coffee.
-
The cake batter must be stirred for 10 minutes.
-
Stir one cup of sugar into the batter.
2
:
to move or cause (someone or something) to move after being still
[no object]
-
She heard him stir (in bed). [=heard him begin to move in bed as he woke up]
-
He never stirred from the couch [=he stayed on the couch] all afternoon.
[+ object]
-
She was stirred from her sleep by the noise.
-
The breeze stirred the leaves on the tree.
3
a
[no object]
:
to be active or busy
-
We could see people stirring inside the shop.
-
“Not a creature was stirring”
Clement Moore, “A Visit from Saint Nicholas” (1822)
b
[+ object]
:
to cause (someone or something) to be active
-
A good book can stir the imagination.
-
He stirred himself to action. [=he began to take action]
4
[+ object]
:
to cause (an emotion or reaction)
— usually + up
-
The bad economic news has stirred anxiety among investors. [=has caused investors to worry]
-
The bad news has stirred up a lot of anxiety.
-
The story stirred up some deep emotions within him.
stir up
[phrasal verb]
1
stir up (someone)
or
stir (someone) up
:
to cause (someone) to feel a strong emotion and a desire to do something
-
The speech stirred up the crowd.
2
stir (something) up
or
stir up (something)
a
:
to cause (something) to move up into and through the air or water
-
The workers stirred up a lot of dust.
b
:
to cause (something, usually something bad or unpleasant) to happen
—
see also 1stir 4 (above)
-
They're trying to stir up trouble.
-
stirring up racial hatred
-
His comments certainly stirred things up. [=caused a lot of excitement, anger, etc.]
2
stir
/ˈstɚ/
noun
2
stir
/ˈstɚ/
noun
Britannica Dictionary definition of STIR
[singular]
1
:
a state of excitement, anger, or surprise among a group of people
-
His comments have caused quite a stir.
2
:
a small movement
-
the stir of the leaves in the breeze
3
:
the act of stirring something with a spoon or similar object
-
She gave the sauce a stir. [=she stirred the sauce]
4
