Gaze Meaning, Examples & Usage Guide

Meaning 1：look steadily (gaze)

gaze 🔊

/ɡeɪz/

to look steadily at something or someone for a long time, often because you are interested, amazed, or in thought.

Person gazing out window thoughtfully at garden

look steadily 🔊

➕

/lʊk ˈstɛdɪli/

To fix one's eyes in a steady, intent manner, often showing wonder, curiosity, or deep thought.

📁 Category：Behaviors & Actions 🔖 Level：intermediate

📘 Details & Usage

📖 Root Explanation

From Middle English 'gasen', of Scandinavian origin.

💡 Mnemonic

Gate + gaze: Imagine standing at a gate, gazing at the view, unable to move.

📖 Example

She sat on the beach and gazed at the spectacular sunset on the horizon. 🔊 She sat on the beach and gazed at the spectacular sunset on the horizon.

🔗 Collocations

gaze at – to look steadily at something

gaze into – to look intently into something, such as someone's eyes or a distance

gaze upon – to look at something with wonder or admiration

🔄 Synonyms

stare (v.) – to look fixedly at something, often with wide eyes

gape (v.) – to stare with open mouth, showing surprise or wonder

eyeball (v.) – to look at someone or something closely and directly

🚫 Antonyms

glance (v.) – to look quickly or briefly at something

peek (v.) – to look quickly and secretly, often through a small opening

skim (v.) – to look over something quickly without full attention

🌱 Derivatives

gazer (n.) – a person who gazes

gazing (adj.) – characterized by or given to gazing

📖 Cultural Story

Derived from Old Norse 'gasa', meaning 'to gape', 'gaze' entered English in the 14th century. It often appears in literature to describe deep, meditative looking.