stargaze

[stahr-geyz]

verb (used without object)

stargazed, stargazing 

1. to gaze at or observe the stars.

2. to daydream.

stargaze

/ ˈstɑːˌɡeɪz /

verb

1. to observe the stars

2. to daydream

Other Word Forms

• stargazer noun
• stargazing noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of stargaze¹

First recorded in 1620–30; back formation from stargazer

Example Sentences

Its most popular event — a full moon hike capped with yoga, a sound bath and stargazing — happens every month, timed to the moonrise, and often it draws dozens of newcomers.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Her computer brain was scrolling back through memories of campfires and of stargazing with Brightbill.

Read more on Literature

County is home to stargazing spots that can provide ideal conditions.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

The kibbutz had a local pub, but there was little else to do at night other than stargaze and listen to jackals howling in the desert.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Nicole Carr and Simon Scott, from Astro Dog, a firm which runs stargazing, photography and education events, said people who were able to travel could use weather radar apps to find gaps in the cloud.

Read more on BBC

Related Words

• conceive 
• crave 
• daydream 
• fantasize 
• invent 
• think 
• visualize 

When To Use

What does stargaze mean?

To stargaze figuratively means to daydream, as in Staring at the whiteboard, Miguel was stargazing and didn’t hear anything the teacher said. Someone is said to be stargazing when they are staring at nothing, deep in thought. They may be staring out a window, out onto the horizon, or at something without really seeing it. Literally, to stargaze means to observe the stars. You might do this by going outside at night, away from lights, and just looking up at the stars. Some people stargaze as a hobby, meaning they track and observe patterns of the stars in the sky. They might use telescopes or binoculars or just their eyes. Stargaze is also used as an informal term for scientific research involving the solar system and outer space. By extension, sometimes astronomers, astronauts, and astrophysicists might be referred to as stargazers. Stargaze can also be used to mean to observe the stars in practicing astrology. Example: When Lauren is feeling sad and alone, she goes out to her backyard and stargazes for a bit.