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

And Sooners coach Brent Venables caused a stir recently when he described the difficulty of getting through the SEC schedule.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

It can be stirred gently or with a bit more oomph.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

A crocodile took a dip in a luxury hotel pool in northeastern Australia this weekend but failed to stir guests who relaxed in the sun a few steps away.

Read more on Barron's

Mr. Ansari provides one character with what’s meant to be a stirring monologue about how CEOs should simply give out big raises lest the workers of the world unite against them.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

But the Rodgers and Hammerstein works stirred the soul in a way the more impish Rodgers and Hart shows couldn’t, and they remain cornerstones of the musical theater.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

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