gaze

[geyz]

verb (used without object)

gazed, gazing 

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

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

/ ɡeɪz /

verb

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

noun

1. a fixed look; stare

Other Word Forms

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of gaze¹

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of gaze¹

C14: from Swedish dialect gasa to gape at

Synonym Study

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.

Example Sentences

The seven-hour drive was stretched when they doubled back at the California border after gazing upon the state’s abhorrent gas prices.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

I crouch on the floor and ruthlessly Google image search nearly every piece, sweating profusely under the flimsy output of a nearby fan and the confused gaze of the guy behind the counter.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

These new forms of entertainment are becoming the lake to our Narcissus: You can gaze into your phone and see yourself staring back, having all kinds of thrills, spills and chills.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

To run up the levee and gaze upon that view of downtown was something of a rite of passage for kids in the neighborhood.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Research shows that looking at pictures of nature on your laptop or simply gazing out at something green can trigger the same calming brainwave changes and reduce stress.

Read more on BBC