stir

[ stur ]

/ stɜr /

verb (used with object), stirred, stir·ring.

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.

to set in tremulous, fluttering, or irregular motion: A soft breeze stirred the leaves.

to affect strongly; excite: to stir pity; to stir one's heart.

to incite, instigate, or prompt (usually followed by up): to stir up a people to rebellion.

to move briskly; bestir: to stir oneself.

to move, especially in a slight way: He would not stir a finger to help them.

to rouse from inactivity, quiet, contentment, indifference, etc. (usually followed by up): to stir up his potential.

to bring up for notice or discussion.

to disturb; trouble.

verb (used without object), stirred, stir·ring.

to move, especially slightly or lightly: Not a leaf stirred.

to move around, especially briskly; be active: Everyone in the house was stirring.

to become active, as from some rousing or quickening impulse.

to be emotionally moved or strongly affected.

to be in circulation, current, or afoot: Is there any news stirring?

noun

the act of stirring or moving.

the sound made by stirring or moving slightly.

a state or occasion of general excitement; commotion: The news created a stir.

a mental impulse, sensation, or feeling: a stir of hope.

a jog, poke, or thrust: He gave the refuse a stir with his foot.

movement, especially brisk and busy movement: There was too much clamor and stir for her.

Origin of stir

before 900; Middle English stiren (v.), Old English styrian; cognate with German stören; akin to Old Norse styrr disturbance; see storm

SYNONYMS FOR stir

1 disturb.

4 rouse, foment, arouse, provoke, stimulate, goad, spur.

17 fuss, pother, agitation, disorder, uproar.

20 bustle,

SEE SYNONYMS FOR stir ON THESAURUS.COM

ANTONYMS FOR stir

17 quiet.

SEE ANTONYMS FOR stir ON THESAURUS.COM

synonym study for stir

17. See ado.

OTHER WORDS FROM stir

stir·ra·ble, adjective stir·less, adjective stir·less·ly, adverb un·stir·ra·ble, adjective

un·stirred, adjective well-stirred, adjective

Words nearby stir

stippling, stipulate, stipulation, stipule, stipuliform, stir, stir up, stir up a hornets' nest, stir-crazy, stir-fried, stir-fry

British Dictionary definitions for stir up (1 of 3)

stir up

verb

(tr, adverb) to set in motion; instigate he stirred up trouble

British Dictionary definitions for stir up (2 of 3)

stir ¹

/ (stɜː) /

verb stirs, stirring or stirred

to move an implement such as a spoon around in (a liquid) so as to mix up the constituents she stirred the porridge

to change or cause to change position; disturb or be disturbed he stirred in his sleep

(intr often foll by from) to venture or depart (from one's usual or preferred place) he won't stir from the fireside

(intr) to be active after a rest; be up and about

(tr) to excite or stimulate, esp emotionally

to move (oneself) briskly or vigorously; exert (oneself)

(tr) to rouse or awaken to stir someone from sleep; to stir memories

informal (when tr, foll by up) to cause or incite others to cause (trouble, arguments, etc)

stir one's stumps informal to move or become active

noun

the act or an instance of stirring or the state of being stirred

a strong reaction, esp of excitement his publication caused a stir

a slight movement

NZ informal a noisy party

Derived forms of stir

stirrable, adjective

Word Origin for stir

Old English styrian; related to Middle High German stürn to poke, stir, Norwegian styrja to cause a commotion; see storm, sturgeon

British Dictionary definitions for stir up (3 of 3)

stir ²

/ (stɜː) /

noun

a slang word for prison in stir

Word Origin for stir

C19: perhaps from Romany stariben prison

Idioms and Phrases with stir up (1 of 2)

stir up

Mix together the ingredients or parts, as in He stirred up some pancake batter, or Will you stir up the fire? [Mid-1300s]

Rouse to action, incite, provoke, as in He's always stirring up trouble among the campers, or If the strikers aren't careful they'll stir up a riot. [First half of 1500s] Also see stir up a hornets' nest.

Idioms and Phrases with stir up (2 of 2)

stir

In addition to the idioms beginning with stir

stir up
stir up a hornets' nest

also see:

cause a commotion (stir)

BROWSE DICTIONARY

Learning

stir

verb (used with object), stirred, stir·ring.

verb (used without object), stirred, stir·ring.

noun

Origin of stir

SYNONYMS FOR stir

ANTONYMS FOR stir

synonym study for stir

OTHER WORDS FROM stir

Words nearby stir

British Dictionary definitions for stir up (1 of 3)

verb

British Dictionary definitions for stir up (2 of 3)

verb stirs, stirring or stirred

noun

Derived forms of stir

Word Origin for stir

British Dictionary definitions for stir up (3 of 3)

noun

Word Origin for stir

Idioms and Phrases with stir up (1 of 2)

Idioms and Phrases with stir up (2 of 2)

BROWSE DICTIONARY

Learning

stir

verb (used with object), stirred, stir·ring.

verb (used without object), stirred, stir·ring.

noun

Origin of stir

SYNONYMS FOR stir

ANTONYMS FOR stir

synonym study for stir

OTHER WORDS FROM stir

Words nearby stir

Words related to stir up

(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []) .push({}); British Dictionary definitions for stir up (1 of 3)

verb

British Dictionary definitions for stir up (2 of 3)

verb stirs, stirring or stirred

noun

Derived forms of stir

Word Origin for stir

British Dictionary definitions for stir up (3 of 3)

noun

Word Origin for stir

Idioms and Phrases with stir up (1 of 2)

Idioms and Phrases with stir up (2 of 2)

British Dictionary definitions for stir up (1 of 3)