/ stɜː(r); NAmE / verb , noun
■ verb
( -rr- )
MIX
1.
[ vn ] stir sth (into sth) | stir sth (in) to move a liquid or substance around, using a spoon or sth similar, in order to mix it thoroughly :
She stirred her tea.
The vegetables are stirred into the rice while it is hot.
Stir in the milk until the sauce thickens.
➡ note at mix
MOVE
2.
to move, or to make sth move, slightly :
[ v ]
She heard the baby stir in the next room.
[ vn ]
A slight breeze was stirring the branches.
A noise stirred me from sleep.
3.
to move, or to make sb move, in order to do sth :
[ v ]
You haven't stirred from that chair all evening!
[ vn ]
Come on, stir yourself. You're late!
Their complaints have finally stirred him into action.
FEELINGS
4.
[ vn ] stir sb (to sth) to make sb excited or make them feel sth strongly :
a book that really stirs the imagination
She was stirred by his sad story.
5.
[ v ] ( of a feeling or a mood ) to begin to be felt :
A feeling of guilt began to stir in her.
CAUSE TROUBLE
6.
( BrE , informal , disapproving ) to try to cause trouble :
[ vn ]
You're just stirring it !
[also v ]
—see also stirrer
•
IDIOMS
- stir the blood
- stir your stumps
•
PHRASAL VERBS
- stir sb up
- stir sth up
■ noun
1.
[ sing. ] excitement, anger or shock that is felt by a number of people
SYN commotion :
Her resignation caused quite a stir .
2.
[ C , usually sing. ] the action of stirring sth :
Could you give the rice a stir?
••
WORD ORIGIN
Old English styrian , of Germanic origin; related to German stören disturb.