Staring

/ˈstɛrɪŋ/

Meaning & Definition

verb

to look fixedly or vacantly at someone or something with wide-open eyes.

She was staring at the painting, lost in its intricate details.

to direct one's gaze steadily and intently.

He kept staring at his phone, waiting for a notification.

to look at something in surprise or disbelief.

We were all staring when he made that unexpected announcement.

Middle English, from Old English staring, present participle of stare.

staring contest

A game in which two people try to stare at each other without blinking.

staring into space

Daydreaming or being lost in thought without any specific focus.

staring blankly

Looking at something without comprehension or awareness.

gaze

To look steadily and intently at something.

glare

To stare in an angry or fierce manner.

ogle

To stare at in a flirtatious or lecherous way.

Creeping

He was creeping on her from across the room.

Checking someone out

I saw him staring; he was definitely checking her out.