stir

¹ American  

[stur] / stɜr /

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.

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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.

idioms

1. stir the pot.  pot.

stir ² American  

[stur] / stɜr /

noun

Slang.

1. prison.

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stir ¹ British  

/ 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

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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 British  

abbreviation

1. Stirlingshire

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stir ³ British  

/ stɜː /

noun

1. a slang word for prison

   in stir

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stir More Idioms  

More idioms and phrases containing stir

• cause a commotion (stir)

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Related Words

See ado.

Other Word Forms

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

Etymology

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

Example Sentences

The BOJ official caused a stir in global markets by suggesting that the central bank could raise interest rates again as soon as later this month.

From MarketWatch

But some warm words for Franco, who picked Juan Carlos as his successor as head of state, caused a stir as Spain commemorated 50 years since the end of his brutal regime.

From Barron's

To understand how a little-known operator in China could stir such controversy, it helps to know how IP addresses work and something about their history.

From The Wall Street Journal

After defeat by Australia in the first Test, the tourists must stir themselves for a trip to the Gabba, a ground where England have not won since 1986.

From BBC

Many companies take an “add diversity and stir” approach—assemble a varied team and wait for magic.

From The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

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