Synonyms

gaze

American

[geyz] / geɪz /

verb (used without object)

gazed, gazing

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

noun

a steady or intent look.
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

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

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

noun

a fixed look; stare

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

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

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Under the gaze of First Lady Melania Trump and a mascot dressed as a giant Easter bunny, Trump doubled down at the White House event on his threats.

From Barron's • Apr. 6, 2026

He sat directly across from me, fixed me with a professional gaze, and said, “I’ve got the results of your MRI. There’s a lesion on your hip.”

From Slate • Mar. 29, 2026

For nearly 20 minutes, the lynx remained absorbed in the behaviour, at times standing on its "hind legs with its gaze fixed on the rodent", he said.

From BBC • Mar. 25, 2026

From his portrait S.P. seems to gaze out in disappointment at rooms that have grown increasingly dilapidated.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 11, 2026

At last he dragged his gaze from the sky, and sat down by the fire.

From "Wolf Brother" by Michelle Paver

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023