- (intransitive)
to look long and fixedly, esp in wonder or admiration
a fixed look; stare
WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2026
gaze /geɪz/USA pronunciation
v., gazed, gaz•ing, n.
v. [no object]
n. [countable]
WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2026v. [no object]
- to look steadily and intently, as with great interest or wonder:He gazed out the window at the sunset.
n. [countable]
- a steady or intent look:an unwavering gaze.
gaze
(gāz),USA pronunciation v., gazed, gaz•ing, n.
v.i.
n.
gaze′less, adj.
gaz′er, n.
gaz′ing•ly, adv.
v.i.
- to look steadily and intently, as with great curiosity, interest, pleasure, or wonder.
n.
- a steady or intent look.
- Heraldry at gaze, (of a deer or deerlike animal) represented as seen from the side with the head looking toward the spectator:a stag at gaze.
- 1350–1400; Middle English gasen; compare Norwegian, Swedish (dialect, dialectal) gasa to look
gaz′er, n.
gaz′ing•ly, adv.
- 1.See corresponding entry in Unabridged Gaze, stare, gape suggest looking fixedly at something. To gaze is to look steadily and intently at something, esp. at that which excites admiration, curiosity, or interest:to gaze at scenery, at a scientific experiment.To stare is to gaze with eyes wide open, as from surprise, wonder, alarm, stupidity, or impertinence:to stare unbelievingly or rudely.Gape is a word with uncomplimentary connotations; it suggests open-mouthed, often ignorant or rustic wonderment or curiosity:to gape at a tall building or a circus parade.
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