What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
gazing
Example
She was gazing out the window, lost in thought. [gazing: verb]
Example
The couple was gazing into each other's eyes, lost in love. [gazing: present participle]
staring
Example
He was staring at the painting for a long time, trying to understand its meaning. [staring: verb]
Example
The woman felt uncomfortable under the man's staring gaze. [staring: noun]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Staring is more commonly used than gazing in everyday language, especially in negative contexts. Gazing is less common and often used in romantic or poetic contexts.
Whatโs the difference in the tone of formality between gazing and staring?
Gazing is generally considered more formal and polite than staring, which can be seen as impolite or aggressive. However, both words can be used in various formality levels depending on the context and tone of the speaker.
