What does "stare" mean?

Stare: To look with fixed eyes wide open, as through fear, wonder, surprise, impudence, etc.; to fasten an earnest and prolonged gaze on some object. For ever upon the ground I see thee stare. Chaucer. Look not big, nor stamp, nor stare, nor fret. Shak.

Additional senses

2.To be very conspicuous on account of size, prominence, color, or brilliancy; as, staring windows or colors.
3.To stand out; to project; to bristle. [Obs.] Makest my blood cold, and my hair to stare. Shak. Take off all the staring straws and jags in the hive. Mortimer. See Gaze.
4.To look earnestly at; to gaze at. I will stare him out of his wits. Shak. To stare in the face, to be before the eyes, or to be undeniably evident. "The law . . . stares them in the face whilst they are breaking it." Locke.
5.The act of staring; a fixed look with eyes wide open. "A dull and stupid stare." Churchill.

Sources

Webster's Unabridged Dictionary, 1913 edition (public domain, via GCIDE / Project Gutenberg).
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Published: 2026-07-17T00:00:00-07:00 · Modified: 2026-07-17T00:00:00-07:00