gaze

[ geyz ]

verb (used without object)

, gazed, gaz·ing.

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

noun

1. a steady or intent look.
2. at gaze, Heraldry. (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

Derived Forms

• ˈgazer, noun

Other Words From

• gazeless adjective
• gazer noun
• gazing·ly adverb
• outgaze verb (used with object) outgazed outgazing
• un·gazing 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

We forge ahead with the same passion for the Institute’s mission, the same distinctive practical optimism, the same gaze toward the future.

From MIT Technology Review

Maybe now we needed dozens or hundreds of narrower gazes, using the Transit Technique as the principal method of discovery.

From MIT Technology Review

From start to finish, keep your gaze locked on the kettlebell.

From Outside Online

Then slowly move your gaze down to the floor and try to look at your belly button.

From Outside Online

Keeping your shoulders relaxed and your chest forward, slowly look up to the ceiling, letting your head follow your gaze.

From Outside Online

Even good, arresting visual art is transformed by the gaze of a potential consumer.

From The Daily Beast

The show, Bell Hooks argued in Black Looks: Race and Representation, “represents wom[e]n as the object of a phallocentric gaze.”

From The Daily Beast

Click on it, gaze over it, and think about which of those states in the two shades of light blue might rush to buy into Obamacare.

From The Daily Beast

Sensitive subjects are met with a short burst of laughter, and serious answers are sandwiched between a piercing gaze.

From The Daily Beast

I try to catch the eye of this third boy, but he plops down onto a stool and avoids my gaze.

From The Daily Beast

Louis stood firm, though pale and respectful, before the resentful gaze of Elizabeth.

From Project Gutenberg

Gaze not upon another man's wife, and be not inquisitive after his handmaid, and approach not her bed.

From Project Gutenberg

The patch of soft green that I knew for the cottonwoods Rutter had spoken of drew my roving gaze whether I would or no.

From Project Gutenberg

She stopped, and turned to face him, an incredible shyness seeming to cause her to avoid his gaze.

From Project Gutenberg

Thus enjoined, she took the letter; for a second her eyes met Garnache's glittering gaze, and she shivered.

From Project Gutenberg