gaze

American  

[geyz] / geɪz /

verb (used without object)

gazed, gazing

1. to look steadily and intently, as with great curiosity, interest, pleasure, or wonder.

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noun

1. a steady or intent look.

2. Heraldry.  at gaze, (of a deer or deerlike animal) represented as seen from the side with the head looking toward the spectator.

   a stag at gaze.

gaze British  

/ ɡeɪz /

verb

1. (intr) to look long and fixedly, esp in wonder or admiration

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noun

1. a fixed look; stare

Related Words

Gaze, stare, gape suggest looking fixedly at something. To gaze is to look steadily and intently at something, especially at that which excites admiration, curiosity, or interest: to gaze at scenery, at a scientific experiment. To stare is to gaze with eyes wide open, as from surprise, wonder, alarm, stupidity, or impertinence: to stare unbelievingly or rudely. Gape is a word with uncomplimentary connotations; it suggests open-mouthed, often ignorant or rustic wonderment or curiosity: to gape at a tall building or a circus parade.

Other Word Forms

• gazeless adjective
• gazer noun
• gazingly adverb
• outgaze verb (used with object)
• ungazing adjective

Etymology

Origin of gaze

First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English gasen; compare Norwegian, Swedish (dialect) gasa “to look”

Example Sentences

He gazed into my eyes as if to prove it.

From Los Angeles Times

"We were teenagers, which in many religions is the age where you turn your gaze towards the adult world," he said.

From BBC

Like Vecna, “Stranger Things” is a different beast than other shows gazing backwards through rose-tinted lenses because Hawkins is an idealized version of Reagan’s fabled “Morning in America” era.

From Salon

They were etherealized through delicate pastels, and while Brundage created images to appeal to the male gaze, she also could portray women as purposeful agents rather than passive victims.

From The Wall Street Journal

Neighbors stood on the street in the rain, gazing out into the ocean, wondering what was causing it.

From Los Angeles Times