stir

¹

[ stur ]

verb (used with object)

, stirred, stir·ring.

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 by up ):

   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 by up ):

   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, stir·ring.

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. introften foll byfrom 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.
   whentr, foll by up to cause or incite others to cause (trouble, arguments, etc)
9. stir one's stumps 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 for

1. Stirlingshire

stir

³

/ stɜː /

noun

1. a slang word for prison

   in stir

Derived Forms

• ˈstirrable, adjective

Other Words From

• stirra·ble adjective
• stirless adjective
• stirless·ly adverb
• un·stirra·ble adjective
• un·stirred 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 ¹( def 26 ).

More idioms and phrases containing stir

• cause a commotion (stir)

Synonym Study

See ado.

Example Sentences

A banana that for years has stirred controversy in the art world sold for $6.2 million with fees at Sotheby’s contemporary art auction on Wednesday night.

From New York Times

She denies stirring up racial hatred, and has described what happened as “Kafkaesque”.

From BBC

This was not exactly what Townsend was looking for ahead of the Australia game next weekend, but they stirred again and finished powerfully.

From BBC

Further stirring uncertainty, Trump has said he’d like to eliminate the Department of Education — which oversees student loan policies — a goal shared by many Republicans.

From Los Angeles Times

It was Trump’s supporters, often angry and stirred up by him, who were dangerous to our physical well-being.

From Salon

Related Words

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