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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Throw in four bunches of baby bok choy and stir to coat them in flavored oil.
From Salon ● Jul. 22, 2026
In a small bowl, stir together the melted butter, oil, buttermilk powder, garlic powder, onion powder, dill, parsley, black pepper and red pepper until well combined.
From Salon ● Jul. 14, 2026
Even 10 years ago, the news that an actress in her mid-40s was pregnant would have caused a stir, with speculation about fertility treatments and hand-wringing over advanced maternal age.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 12, 2026
These conversations help us see the depth in one another and stir the beginnings of trust our culture needs.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 2, 2026
At the grand house known as Ashton Place, something else began to stir, too.
From "The Long-Lost Home" by Maryrose Wood
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
A pair of heartwarming World Cup reflections: Soccer stirs up all sorts of emotions for fans.
From Slate ● Jul. 10, 2026
Lohrmann, in Maryland, is more clear-eyed now about her chances of success, but something still stirs in her when she comes across a new idea.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jun. 25, 2026
Prices are ticking up, and brokers are getting busier as something stirs Cuba's real estate market, long battered by sanctions, recession and mass emigration.
From Barron's ● Apr. 24, 2026
"Francesca has long felt out of place in the world. As Michaela stirs up new feelings inside her, Fran will make discoveries about herself that could change everything," it said.
From BBC ● Mar. 24, 2026
Keira stirs in her corner, partially hidden from view behind the cardboard divider.
From "Warcross" by Marie Lu
Sen. Lindsey Graham’s sudden death on Saturday stirred up a mess of feelings.
From Salon ● Jul. 14, 2026
For Patricia, the knowledge that the men who killed her cousin have finally faced justice stirred an overwhelming thought.
From BBC ● Jul. 10, 2026
And, to his left, Alexi Lalas, the red-maned former U.S. men’s national team player who’s forever stirred a Cosell-style fury among critics and fans.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jun. 23, 2026
While she vigorously stirred her bowl of bibimbap topped with natto, Smith knew that this would only make it even stringier.
From Barron's ● Jun. 22, 2026
After hearing the charges against her, Sophie said, “What does my death matter if by our action thousands of people are awakened and stirred to action?”
From "Hitler Youth: Growing Up in Hitler's Shadow" by Susan Campbell Bartoletti
Dahlia Lithwick’s stirring opening essay is definitely worth a read.
From Slate ● Jul. 21, 2026
The Centre Court crowd rallied behind Djokovic, chanting the Serb's name in the hope of stirring him to a fightback - but opportunities remained difficult to come by.
From BBC ● Jul. 10, 2026
He concludes with the stirring lines: “She loved me for the dangers I had passed, and I loved her that she did pity them.”
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 9, 2026
In the 1995 movie “The American President”, Michael Douglas’ character President Andrew Shepherd gives a stirring speech about that very topic.
From Salon ● Jul. 5, 2026
As they drew near the cottage, Ivy began to feel dread stirring in her belly.
From "How to Disappear Completely" by Ali Standish
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.
