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

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.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

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

Read more on Los Angeles Times

His gaze is colder than a shark’s; his words are spiked with rows of piercing teeth.

Read more on Salon

Although chameleons' shifting gaze is easy to see, the internal structures enabling it have remained unclear.

Read more on Science Daily

She’s wearing that principal gaze, the kind of face one might make if they’re reading an essay consisting of nothing but misspelled words.

Read more on Literature