to move one's hand or an implement continuously or repeatedly through (a liquid or other substance) in order to cool, mix, agitate, dissolve, etc., any or all of the component parts.
to stir one's coffee with a spoon.
to set in tremulous, fluttering, or irregular motion.
A soft breeze stirred the leaves.
to affect strongly; excite.
to stir pity;
to stir one's heart.
to incite, instigate, or provoke (usually followed byup ).
to stir up a people to rebellion.
to move briskly; bestir.
to stir oneself.
to move, especially in a slight way.
He would not stir a finger to help them.
to rouse from inactivity, quiet, contentment, indifference, etc. (usually followed byup ).
to stir up his potential.
to bring up for notice or discussion.
Older Use. to disturb; trouble.
A slow wave of remembrance stirred her peace.
to move, especially slightly or lightly.
Not a leaf stirred.
to move around, especially briskly; be active.
Everyone in the house was stirring.
to become active, as from some rousing or quickening impulse.
to be emotionally moved or strongly affected.
to be in circulation, current, or afoot.
Is there any news stirring?
the act of stirring or moving.
the sound made by stirring or moving slightly.
a state or occasion of general excitement; commotion.
The news created a stir.
a mental impulse, sensation, or feeling.
a stir of hope.
a jog, poke, or thrust.
He gave the refuse a stir with his foot.
movement, especially brisk and busy movement.
There was too much clamor and stir for her.
to move an implement such as a spoon around in (a liquid) so as to mix up the constituents
she stirred the porridge
to change or cause to change position; disturb or be disturbed
he stirred in his sleep
to venture or depart (from one's usual or preferred place)
he won't stir from the fireside
(intr) to be active after a rest; be up and about
(tr) to excite or stimulate, esp emotionally
to move (oneself) briskly or vigorously; exert (oneself)
(tr) to rouse or awaken
to stir someone from sleep
to stir memories
informal to cause or incite others to cause (trouble, arguments, etc)
informal to move or become active
the act or an instance of stirring or the state of being stirred
a strong reaction, esp of excitement
his publication caused a stir
a slight movement
informal a noisy party
See ado.
First recorded before 900; Middle English verb stiren, Old English styrian; cognate with German stören “to disturb, interrupt”; akin to Old Norse styrr “disturbance, brawl”; see storm
First rcorded in 1830–35; argot word of obscure origin; perhaps from Romani sturiben “prison,” staripen “imprison”; compare earlier argot start in same sense
To stir is to mix something up. You can literally stir cake batter with a spoon, or figuratively stir someone's emotions by writing them a heartfelt letter. You can stir muffin batter with a wooden spoon, and stir in a cup of blueberries. When people stir, they start to move after being still or asleep: "It was only five o'clock, but he could hear the kids start to stir." And when something stirs you, it brings up some emotion: "That music always stirs up my sad memories." Stir shares a root with the Old Norse styrr, "tumult or disturbance."
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Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
But forecasters said they could stir up rough seas and send swells toward the California coast, which already has been battered by big waves this summer.
From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 24, 2026
I can’t tell you how many conversations I’ve had where someone says, “Even mentioning this can stir up fear and doubt.”
From Slate ● Sep. 23, 2026
They are certainly active in Japan and the United Kingdom, and they are starting to stir in the U.S., as well.
From MarketWatch ● Aug. 26, 2026
Back to school can stir up many emotions for parents, including anxiety about the extra costs it brings.
From BBC ● Aug. 25, 2026
Somebody new was coming into the parking lot and causing a stir.
From "Two Degrees" by Alan Gratz
Cocktail writer Kara Newman featured Paper Plane in her recent book “Shake. Stir. Sip.” and calls it one of her favorites.
From Seattle Times ● May 24, 2017
There, it stirs the surrounding hot gas, which gives off X-rays.
From Science Daily ● Sep. 15, 2026
Yes, “Spa Weekend” is a plate of reheated “Wedding Crashers” nachos, because no one stirs up cheerful chaos like the spirited Fisher.
From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 21, 2026
Being put on a PIP by someone who used to be your equal probably stirs up feelings of inadequacy.
From MarketWatch ● Jul. 29, 2026
That the memoir is so very frank stirs up trouble with her boyfriend, a much younger man.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 28, 2026
The farther we get from Mr. Thompson’s farm, the more the wide-open, remote land stirs him with wonder.
From "Will’s Race for Home" by Jewell Parker Rhodes
Leo's visit has stirred excitement among the faithful in the secular nation with deep Catholic roots.
From Barron's ● Sep. 28, 2026
Such words are why Pietersen and Brook have stirred opinion among England fans more than any other batters in the modern era.
From BBC ● Sep. 15, 2026
My 15-year-old son’s borrowed quip stirred up memories of my father.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 4, 2026
Bitcoin stirred to life last week as a bond rout revived talk of the debasement trade.
From MarketWatch ● Aug. 27, 2026
With temperatures below freezing, and no room to move around to get their blood stirred up, they were always cold.
From "Shipwreck at the Bottom of the World" by Jennifer Armstrong
Still, the scenes kindled a sense of something rare stirring: hope.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 28, 2026
Painful, for sure, but a prelude to a stirring second half from the striker and his new-old team-mates.
From BBC ● Sep. 27, 2026
However, when Lo visited during the off-season, its emptiness was “ominous” — unintentionally stirring her inner want to cause chaos.
From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 21, 2026
Continue cooking over low heat for about 15 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the seasonings have melded into the squash.
From Salon ● Aug. 16, 2026
“Boy,” I said, as I poured water into the wash pan, “this early in the morning and everybody stirring around.”
From "Summer of the Monkeys" by Wilson Rawls
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
