What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
glance
Example
She glanced at her watch and realized she was running late. [glanced: past tense]
Example
He took a quick glance at the menu before deciding what to order. [glance: noun]
gaze
Example
She gazed out the window, lost in thought. [gazed: past tense]
Example
He couldn't help but gaze at the beautiful sunset. [gaze: verb]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Glance is more commonly used than gaze in everyday language. Glance is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while gaze is less common and more formal.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between glance and gaze?
Gaze is typically associated with a formal and serious tone, while glance is more casual and informal. However, both words can be used in various formality levels depending on the context.