astir

American  

[uh-stur] / əˈstɜr /

adjective

1. moving or stirring, especially with much activity or excitement.

   The field was astir with small animals, birds, and insects.

2. up and about; out of bed.

---

astir British  

/ əˈstɜː /

adjective

1. awake and out of bed

2. in motion; on the move

---

Etymology

Origin of astir

before 1000; Middle English, Old English; a- ¹, stir ¹

Example Sentences

Animal spirits are astir after several decades of hibernation.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jan. 22, 2026

But there is something astir and it’s called elektrifizierung.

From Los Angeles Times • Dec. 11, 2017

It has the effect of a leviathan astir.

From New York Times • Apr. 24, 2016

And so it should be little surprise that passions are astir, decades later, over the fate of a mural that memorializes many of the neighborhood’s most treasured sons.

From Washington Times • Jun. 1, 2015

For there was a great commotion as soon as the remaining guests were astir and heard news of the raid on the inn.

From "The Fellowship of the Ring" by J.R.R. Tolkien