Look vs. Stare — What's the Difference?
Difference Between Look and Stare
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Definitions
Look
To employ one's sight, especially in a given direction or on a given object
Looking out the window.
Looked at the floor.
Stare
Look fixedly or vacantly at someone or something with one's eyes wide open
Robyn sat staring into space, her mind numb
He stared at her in amazement
Look
To search
We looked all afternoon but could not find it.
Stare
A long fixed or vacant look
She gave him a cold stare
Look
To turn one's glance or gaze
Looked to the right.
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Stare
To look directly, fixedly, or vacantly, often with a wide-eyed gaze.
Look
To turn one's attention; attend
Looked to his neglected guitar during vacation.
Looked at the evidence.
Stare
To look at directly and fixedly
Stared him in the eyes.
Look
To turn one's expectations
Looked to us for a solution.
Stare
An intent gaze.
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Look
To seem or appear to be
Look morose.
Stare
To look fixedly (at something).
Look
To face in a specified direction
The cottage looks on the river.
Stare
(transitive) To influence in some way by looking fixedly.
To stare a timid person into submission
Look
To turn one's eyes on
Looked him in the eye.
Stare
(intransitive) To be very conspicuous on account of size, prominence, colour, or brilliancy.
Staring windows or colours
Look
To convey by one's expression
Looked annoyance at the judge.
Looked his devotion to me.
Stare
To stand out; to project; to bristle.
Look
To have an appearance of conformity with
He looks his age. She dressed up to look the part.
Stare
A persistent gaze.
The stares of astonished passers-by
Look
To appear to be
Looked the fool in one version of the story.
Stare
A starling.
Look
The act or instance of looking
I took just one look and I was sure.
Stare
The starling.
Look
A gaze or glance expressive of something
Gave her a mournful look.
Stare
The act of staring; a fixed look with eyes wide open.
Look
Appearance or aspect
A look of great age.
Stare
To look with fixed eyes wide open, as through fear, wonder, surprise, impudence, etc.; to fasten an earnest and prolonged gaze on some object.
For ever upon the ground I see thee stare.
Look not big, nor stamp, nor stare, nor fret.
Look
Looks Physical appearance, especially when pleasing.
Stare
To be very conspicuous on account of size, prominence, color, or brilliancy; as, staring windows or colors.
Look
A distinctive, unified manner of dress or fashion
The preferred look for this fall.
Stare
To stand out; to project; to bristle.
Makest my blood cold, and my hair to stare.
Take off all the staring straws and jags in the hive.
Look
To try to see, to pay attention to with one’s eyes.
Stare
To look earnestly at; to gaze at.
I will stare him out of his wits.
Look
(intransitive) As an intransitive verb, often with "at".
They kept looking at me.
Don’t look in the closet.
Stare
A fixed look with eyes open wide
Look
As a transitive verb, often in the relative clause as direct object.}}
Look what you did to him!
Look who's back!
Stare
Look at with fixed eyes;
The students stared at the teacher with amazement
Look
To appear, to seem.
It looks as if it’s going to rain soon.
Our new boss looks to be a lot more friendly.
Stare
Fixate one's eyes;
The ancestor in the painting is staring down menacingly
Look
(copulative) To give an appearance of being.
That painting looks nice.
Look
To search for, to try to find.
Look
To face or present a view.
The hotel looks over the valleys of the HinduKush.
Look
To expect or anticipate.
I look to each hour for my lover’s arrival.
Look
(transitive) To express or manifest by a look.
Look
To make sure of, to see to.
Look
To show oneself in looking.
Look out of the window [i.e. lean out] while I speak to you.
Look
To look at; to turn the eyes toward.
Look
To seek; to search for.
Look
To influence, overawe, or subdue by looks or presence.
To look down opposition
Look
(baseball) To look at a pitch as a batter without swinging at it.
The fastball caught him looking.
Clem Labine struck Mays out looking at his last at bat.
It's unusual for Mays to strike out looking. He usually takes a cut at it.
Look
Pay attention.
Look, I'm going to explain what to do, so you have to listen closely.
Look
The action of looking; an attempt to see.
Let’s have a look under the hood of the car.
Look
(often plural) Physical appearance, visual impression.
She got her mother’s looks.
I don’t like the look of the new design.
Look
A facial expression.
He gave me a dirty look.
If looks could kill ...
Look
To direct the eyes for the purpose of seeing something; to direct the eyes toward an object; to observe with the eyes while keeping them directed; - with various prepositions, often in a special or figurative sense. See Phrases below.
Look
To direct the attention (to something); to consider; to examine; as, to look at an action.
Look
To seem; to appear; to have a particular appearance; as, the patient looks better; the clouds look rainy.
It would look more like vanity than gratitude.
Observe how such a practice looks in another person.
Look
To have a particular direction or situation; to face; to front.
The inner gate that looketh to north.
The east gate . . . which looketh eastward.
Look
In the imperative: see; behold; take notice; take care; observe; - used to call attention.
Look, how much we thus expel of sin, so much we expel of virtue.
Look that ye bind them fast.
Look if it be my daughter.
Look
To show one's self in looking, as by leaning out of a window; as, look out of the window while I speak to you. Sometimes used figuratively.
My toes look through the overleather.
Look
To await the appearance of anything; to expect; to anticipate.
Looking each hour into death's mouth to fall.
Men's hearts failing them for fear, and for looking after those things which are coming on the earth.
My subject does not oblige me to look after the water, or point forth the place where to it is now retreated.
The bishops thereat repined, and looked black.
Her friends would look on her the worse.
I looked on Virgil as a succinct, majestic writer.
I'll be a candleholder, and look on.
Look
To look at; to turn the eyes toward.
Look
To seek; to search for.
Looking my love, I go from place to place.
Look
To expect.
Look
To influence, overawe, or subdue by looks or presence as, to look down opposition.
A spirit fit to start into an empire,And look the world to law.
Look
To express or manifest by a look.
Soft eyes looked love to eyes which spake again.
Look
The act of looking; a glance; a sight; a view; - often in certain phrases; as, to have, get, take, throw, or cast, a look.
Threw many a northward look to see his fatherBring up his powers; but he did long in vain.
Look
Expression of the eyes and face; manner; as, a proud or defiant look.
Up ! up! my friends, and clear your looks.
Look
Appearance; aspect; as, the house has a gloomy look; the affair has a bad look.
Pain, disgrace, and poverty have frighted looks.
There was something that reminded me of Dante's Hell in the look of this.
Look
The expression on a person's face;
A sad expression
A look of triumph
An angry face
Look
The act of directing the eyes toward something and perceiving it visually;
He went out to have a look
His look was fixed on her eyes
He gave it a good looking at
His camera does his looking for him
Look
Physical appearance;
I don't like the looks of this place
Look
The general atmosphere of a place or situation and the effect that it has on people;
The feel of the city excited him
A clergyman improved the tone of the meeting
It had the smell of treason
Look
Perceive with attention; direct one's gaze towards;
She looked over the expanse of land
Look at your child!
Look--a deer in the backyard!
Look
Give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect;
She seems to be sleeping
This appears to be a very difficult problem
This project looks fishy
They appeared like people who had not eaten or slept for a long time
Look
Have a certain outward or facial expression;
How does she look?
The child looks unhappy
She looked pale after the surgery
Look
Search or seek;
We looked all day and finally found the child in the forest
Look elsewhere for the perfect gift!
Look
Be oriented in a certain direction, often with respect to another reference point; be opposite to;
The house looks north
My backyard look onto the pond
The building faces the park
Look
Take charge of or deal with;
Could you see about lunch?
I must attend to this matter
She took care of this business
Look
Convey by one's expression;
She looked her devotion to me
Look
Look forward to the probable occurrence of;
We were expecting a visit from our relatives
She is looking to a promotion
He is waiting to be drafted
Look
Accord in appearance with;
You don't look your age!
Look
Have faith or confidence in;
You can count on me to help you any time
Look to your friends for support
You can bet on that!
Depend on your family in times of crisis
