stir

¹

[stur]

verb (used with object)

stirred, stirring 

1. 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.

   Synonyms: raise, exert, inflame

2. to set in tremulous, fluttering, or irregular motion.

   A soft breeze stirred the leaves.

3. to affect strongly; excite.

   to stir pity;

   to stir one's heart.

4. to incite, instigate, or provoke (usually followed byup ).

   to stir up a people to rebellion.

   Synonyms: spur, goad, stimulate, provoke, instigate, incite, arouse, foment, rouse

5. to move briskly; bestir.

   to stir oneself.

6. to move, especially in a slight way.

   He would not stir a finger to help them.

7. to rouse from inactivity, quiet, contentment, indifference, etc. (usually followed byup ).

   to stir up his potential.

8. to bring up for notice or discussion.

9. Older Use.,  to disturb; trouble.

   A slow wave of remembrance stirred her peace.

verb (used without object)

stirred, stirring 

1. to move, especially slightly or lightly.

   Not a leaf stirred.

2. to move around, especially briskly; be active.

   Everyone in the house was stirring.

3. to become active, as from some rousing or quickening impulse.

4. to be emotionally moved or strongly affected.

5. to be in circulation, current, or afoot.

   Is there any news stirring?

noun

1. the act of stirring or moving.

2. the sound made by stirring or moving slightly.

3. a state or occasion of general excitement; commotion.

   The news created a stir.

   Synonyms: bustle, uproar, disorder, agitation, pother, fuss
   Antonyms: quiet

4. a mental impulse, sensation, or feeling.

   a stir of hope.

5. a jog, poke, or thrust.

   He gave the refuse a stir with his foot.

6. movement, especially brisk and busy movement.

   There was too much clamor and stir for her.

stir

²

[stur]

noun

Slang.

1. prison.

stir

¹

/ stɜː /

verb

1. to move an implement such as a spoon around in (a liquid) so as to mix up the constituents

   she stirred the porridge

2. to change or cause to change position; disturb or be disturbed

   he stirred in his sleep

3. to venture or depart (from one's usual or preferred place)

   he won't stir from the fireside

4. (intr) to be active after a rest; be up and about

5. (tr) to excite or stimulate, esp emotionally

6. to move (oneself) briskly or vigorously; exert (oneself)

7. (tr) to rouse or awaken

   to stir someone from sleep

   to stir memories

8. informal,  to cause or incite others to cause (trouble, arguments, etc)

9. informal,  to move or become active

noun

1. the act or an instance of stirring or the state of being stirred

2. a strong reaction, esp of excitement

   his publication caused a stir

3. a slight movement

4. informal,  a noisy party

Stir.

²

abbreviation

1. Stirlingshire

stir

³

/ stɜː /

noun

1. a slang word for prison

   in stir

Other Word Forms

• stirrable adjective
• stirless adjective
• stirlessly adverb
• unstirrable adjective
• unstirred adjective
• well-stirred adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of stir¹

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”; storm

Origin of stir²

First rcorded in 1830–35; argot word of obscure origin; perhaps from Romani sturiben “prison,” staripen “imprison”; compare earlier argot start in same sense

Word History and Origins

Origin of stir¹

Old English styrian; related to Middle High German stürn to poke, stir, Norwegian styrja to cause a commotion; see _storm , _sturgeon

Origin of stir²

C19: perhaps from Romany stariben prison

Idioms and Phrases

Idioms

1. stir the pot. pot.

More idioms and phrases containing stir

• cause a commotion (stir)

Synonym Study

See ado.

Example Sentences

The election of Pope Leo XIV, the first American to head the Holy See, to succeed Pope Francis stirred in me the sense that things might change for the better as our country worsens.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Not that she hasn’t sacrificed or gone a little stir crazy along the way.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

When life feels pared down, this humble porridge feels like an invitation to make the most of less—to stir, to season, to play.

Read more on Salon

And since I’ve never been much of a traditionalist, I stirred in a few teaspoons of white miso.

Read more on Salon

The topic stirred up plenty of debate across our live page and social media and we received thousands of messages from our audience, suggesting the one thing they would change.

Read more on BBC

Related Words

• affect 
• arouse 
• energize 
• galvanize 
• inflame 
• inspire 
• kindle 
• prompt 
• provoke 
• raise 
• rouse 
• spark 
• spur 
• touch 
• trigger 
• whip up