What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
gaze
Example
She gazed out the window, lost in thought. [gazed: verb]
Example
The couple shared a loving gaze before parting ways. [gaze: noun]
stare
Example
The teacher stared at the student who was talking during class. [stared: verb]
Example
He gave her a blank stare when she asked him a difficult question. [stare: noun]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Stare is more commonly used than gaze in everyday language. Stare is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while gaze is less common and often used in more specific or poetic contexts.
Whatโs the difference in the tone of formality between gaze and stare?
While gaze is typically associated with a formal or poetic tone, stare is more versatile and can be employed in various formality levels, allowing it to be used in both formal and informal contexts.