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📕 rednote ID(小红书号)：3881567312

Stir: Definition, Usage & Examples Explained (2 meaning)

Meaning 1：mix with circular motion (stir)

stir 🔊

/stɜːr/

To move a spoon or stick around in a liquid or mixture to mix it together.

Stir definition illustrated by hand stirring soup with a wooden spoon.

mix with circular motion 🔊

➕

/mɪks wɪð ˈsɜːrkjələr ˈmoʊʃən/

To agitate or blend substances together, typically using a circular motion with an implement like a spoon.

📁 Category：Diet & Health 🔖 Level：初级

📘 Details & Usage

📖 Root Explanation

From Old English 'styrian' meaning to agitate, to move.

💡 Mnemonic

STIR the pot (physical) vs. STIR the soul (emotional).

📖 Example

Please stir the soup gently so that it doesn't stick to the bottom of the pot. 🔊 Please mix the soup gently with circular motions to prevent it from adhering to the pot's base.

🔗 Collocations

stir well – to mix thoroughly until combined

stir constantly – to mix without stopping, often to prevent burning

stir into – to mix one ingredient into another

🔄 Synonyms

mix (v.) – to combine different substances so they become one

blend (v.) – to mix substances smoothly and inseparably

agitate (v.) – to stir or shake a liquid vigorously

🚫 Antonyms

leave alone (v. phrase) – to not touch or disturb something

let settle (v. phrase) – to allow contents to become still or separate

🌱 Derivatives

stirrer (n.) – a utensil or person that stirs

stirring (n./adj.) – the act of mixing; emotionally moving

📖 Cultural Story

The word 'stir' has roots in Old English and Proto-Germanic languages, originally meaning 'to agitate, disturb, or move'. Over centuries, its meaning broadened from physical agitation to include emotional provocation, reflecting a common linguistic pattern where physical actions metaphorically describe abstract experiences.

Meaning 2：provoke or awaken (stir)

stir 🔊

/stɜːr/

To cause a strong feeling or reaction in someone, like making their emotions active.

Stir emotions meaning shown by person moved to tears by a film.

provoke or awaken 🔊

➕

/prəˈvoʊk ɔːr əˈweɪkən/

To arouse or stimulate a strong feeling, emotion, memory, or reaction in someone.

📁 Category：Behaviors & Actions 🔖 Level：初级

📘 Details & Usage

📖 Example

The documentary about wildlife conservation really stirred a feeling of responsibility in the audience. 🔊 The wildlife conservation documentary strongly awakened a sense of responsibility among the viewers.

🔗 Collocations

stir up emotions – to cause strong feelings to arise

stir controversy – to cause or provoke public disagreement

stir memories – to cause old memories to come to mind

🔄 Synonyms

provoke (v.) – to stimulate or give rise to a reaction or emotion

awaken (v.) – to rouse from sleep or inactivity; to make active

inspire (v.) – to fill someone with the urge or ability to do or feel something

🚫 Antonyms

calm (v.) – to make someone peaceful or quiet

pacify (v.) – to quell the anger, agitation, or excitement of

🌱 Derivatives

stirring (adj.) – rousing strong emotion; inspiring

stirred (adj.) – emotionally moved or affected