What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
gazer
Example
The child was a gazer, staring at the animals in the zoo for hours. [gazer: noun]
Example
She was gazing out of the window, lost in thought. [gazing: gerund or present participle]
stare
Example
He stared at the painting for a long time, trying to understand its meaning. [stared: past tense]
Example
She felt uncomfortable under his intense stare. [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 refers to a more specific type of looking.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between gazer and stare?
Both gaze and stare can be used in formal and informal contexts, but gaze may be considered more formal due to its less common usage.
