Gaze

/ɡeɪz/

verbBeginner📊CommonGeneral
2 meanings2 idioms/phrases3 questions

Definitions

2 meanings
1

To look steadily and intently at something for a prolonged time, typically in admiration, wonder, or astonishment.

/ɡeɪz/

verbneutralBeginner
General

To look steadily and intently, often with fascination or surprise.

The children gazed at the magician's tricks with wide eyes.

💡 Simply: Imagine you see something super cool, like a super cool car or a cute puppy, and you look at it for a while without moving your eyes. That's gazing! It's like you're saying, 'Wow, I like that a lot!'

👶 For kids: To look at something for a long time.

More Examples

2

She gazed into the distance, lost in thought.

3

He gazed adoringly at his newborn baby.

How It's Used

General Conversation

"He gazed at the artwork in the museum."

Literature

"She gazed upon the stars with wonder."

2

A steady and intent look.

/ɡeɪz/

nounneutralBeginner
General

His gaze lingered on her face.

💡 Simply: It's when you're looking at something and your eyes don't move around much; they just stay focused. Like when you are staring at a yummy dessert.

👶 For kids: When you look at something for a long time without looking away.

More Examples

2

The crowd's gaze followed the performer.

3

She felt the weight of his gaze upon her.

How It's Used

Descriptive Writing

"Her gaze was fixed on the horizon."

Psychology

"The subject's gaze revealed their hidden emotions."

Tip:Think of the look on someone's face when they are completely absorbed – that's their gaze.

Synonyms & Antonyms

Idioms & expressions

lost in a gaze

Deeply absorbed in looking at something.

"She was lost in a gaze, staring out the window."

meet someone's gaze

To look directly at someone, making eye contact.

"He hesitated but then met her gaze."

From Middle English gasen, from Old Norse *gasa ('to stare, gape').

The word 'gaze' has been used since the 14th century and initially carried a sense of wonder or astonishment, but also could imply intense scrutiny.

Memory tip

Imagine you're staring at a stunning view – you're gazing!

Word Origin

LanguageOld Norse
Original meaning

"to stare, gape"

Base: gaze
a steady gazeintense gazefix a gazemeet someone's gazelingering gaze

Common misspellings

gasegaize

Usage

60%Spoken
40%Written