American Dictionary

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Definition stir in American English

stir verb

verb
/stɜr/
1

to mix a drink by moving it around with a spoon or a stick

Synonyms and related words
1.1

to mix a substance such as paint by moving it around with an object such as a stick

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1.2

to move food around in a dish or pan using a spoon or other object

Example

Stir the sauce gently over a low heat.

Example

Add the cream and stir thoroughly.

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2

to make someone feel upset or angry

Example

This murder has stirred a lot of ill feeling in the community.

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2.1

to make someone feel enthusiastic about something

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2.2

to make someone think about something

Example

Seeing George again stirred old memories in me.

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3

if an emotion or thought stirs in you, you feel it or think about it

Example

A faint memory stirred in my mind.

Example

A feeling of excitement stirred in her.

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4

to move slightly after being still for a long time

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5

if you do not stir from a place, you do not leave it or move away from it

Example

She didn't stir from her house for three days.

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6

to move, or to be moved, slightly because of the wind

Example

The white curtains stirred gently in the summer breeze.

Example

As he walked, a puff of wind stirred his hair.

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7

to move the burning pieces in a fire around

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8

to say things deliberately in order to cause trouble between people

Synonyms and related words
Example

On Wednesday, the US president once again stirred the pot by claiming - without evidence - that people wear disguises to vote illegally in Florida.

Definition stir in American English