Language Research

stir · verb

/stɜr/Full view

stir (MIX)

B1 I or T to mix food or liquid by moving a spoon around and around in it

Dictionary examples:

Stir the sauce gently until it begins to boil.

Stir the egg yolks into the warm milk.

She paused to stir some sugar into her coffee.

Slowly add the flour, stirring until completely blended.

Learner example:

Then you add the instant sauce and stir. (First Certificate in English; B2; Czech)

stir (MOVE)

C2 I or T to move slightly or make someone move slightly

Dictionary example:

The baby stirred in its sleep.

Learner example:

There is no wind, not a lea[f] is stirring. (Certificate of Proficiency in English; C2; Russian)

stir (FEEL)

C2 T to make someone feel a strong emotion

Dictionary example:

The case has stirred great anger among the public.

Learner example:

Clearly, that was what I found so intriguing about the event: that mesmerizing state of being united in awe - not being able to grasp fully the rationale behind the unpredictable turns history takes but feeling one's emotions stirred and expressing this frankly. (Certificate of Proficiency in English; C2; German)

stir up sth or stir sth up

C2 to cause arguments or bad feeling between people, usually on purpose

Dictionary example:

I think he just likes to stir up trouble.

Learner example:

She had a rough childhood and was constantly stirring up trouble. (Certificate of Proficiency in English; C2; Korean)