How do you use the word "stir" in a sentence?

Here are real-life examples of using "stir": I like pea pods in my stir fry. Stir the mixture until it foams, then set it aside.

Stir Meaning

/stɜː/

Definition, CEFR level B1, pronunciation, examples, and quiz.

Definition

verbTo disturb the relative position of the particles (of a liquid or similar) by passing an object through it.

verbTo disturb the content of (a container) by passing an object through it.

Sentence Examples

I like pea pods in my stir fry.

Stir the mixture until it foams, then set it aside.

Stir the sauce constantly so that it does not separate.

Synonyms & Antonyms

Synonyms:

fuss shift excite

Antonyms:

None

CEFR Practice Quiz

She used a spoon to ____ the soup slowly while it was cooking.

CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)

You need to ____ the sauce gently to prevent it from sticking to the bottom of the hot pan today.

Word Origin & History

Etymology tree Proto-Indo-European *(s)twerH- Proto-Indo-European *(s)twr̥H-yé-ti? Proto-Germanic *sturjaną Proto-West Germanic *sturjan Old English styrian Middle English stiren English stir From Middle English stiren, sturien, steren, from Old English styrian (“to be in motion, move, agitate, stir, disturb, trouble”), from Proto-Germanic *sturiz (“turmoil, noise, confusion”), related to Proto-West Germanic *staurijan (“to destroy, disturb”). Cognate with Old Norse styrr (“turmoil, noise, confusion”), German stören (“to disturb”), Dutch storen (“to disturb”).

Literary Quotations & Historical Citations

"My minde is troubled, like a Fountaine stir'd, / And I my selfe see not the bottome of it." — 1602, William Shakespeare, Troilus and Cressida, act III, scene 3:

"And what delights can equal those ⁠That stir the spirit’s inner deeps, ⁠When one that loves but knows not, reaps A truth from one that loves and knows?" — 1850, [Alfred, Lord Tennyson], “Canto XLI”, in In Memoriam, London: Edward Moxon, […], →OCLC, page 64:

"An Ate, stirring him to bloud and strife […]" — c. 1595, William Shakespeare, The Life and Death of King John, act I, scene 2:

"The Soldiers love her Brother’s Memory; / And for her sake some Mutiny will stir." — c. 1670, John Dryden, Tyrannick Love, or the Royal Martyr, III.1:

"Preserue the rights of thy place, but stirre not questions of Iurisdiction : and rather assume thy right in silence, and de facto, then voice it with claimes, and challenges." — 1613, Francis Bacon, chapter 8, in The Essaies, London:

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