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to stir

to stir

167 1.0
To mix a liquid by moving it with a spoon
  • verb
  • /stɜr/
: remover
  • Beat in the sugar and vanilla, then stir in the flour until well mixed.
  • add, then stir
  • stir in sugar
  • stir together

I just put it in a cup, stir it up and slam it down.

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Examples

  • Slowly heat it to just below the boiling point, then stir in the sugar and cardamom.

    Academic text (1993)
  • We want to keep it moving and then stir in the egg slowly.

  • You still have to sit there and stir until you get that perfect consistency.

  • You need to stir it so it doesn't stick.

  • Stir until they're completely coated and then stir in your sugar and salt.

  • Pour the sauce over the beef, stir to coat, and let marinate for 20 minutes.

    Academic text (1990)
  • Linda is standing over the stove, sweating as she stirs a hot pot of boiling soup.

    Fiction book (1990)
  • To make the sauce creamy, you need to stir the milk and flour mixture until smooth.

  • Make sure to stir the soup regularly to prevent it from burning on the bottom of the pot.

  • Before pouring the batter into the pan, stir it thoroughly to ensure all the ingredients are combined.

Synonyms

to mix
vsto stir
645 1.0

To combine two or more things so they become one

is specifically about moving a liquid with a spoon like tool
to mix in
vsto stir
59 1.8

To add something to food and stir so it becomes part of the food

is the general turning motion used to combine liquids with a spoon
to toss
vsto stir
51 1.8

To lift and turn food gently to mix it

is a steady spoon movement to move liquids rather than lifting and turning
to beat
vsto stir
29 1.0

To stir food quickly and strongly so it becomes smooth or light

is a gentler spoon movement, not the vigorous rapid action
to whisk
vsto stir
28 2.8

To beat eggs or cream quickly to make them light

is gentler and slower, using a spoon motion rather than rapid air adding
to work in
vsto stir
10 3.5

To add something carefully into a mixture or conversation

is a more general motion of moving liquid with a spoon without special care
to blend in
vsto stir
7 3.3

Mix one ingredient into others until the mixture is smooth

is the usual spoon motion to move liquid or soft substances gently
to agitate
vsto stir
7 4.1

To move or shake something to mix it

is gentler, using a spoon to turn rather than shaking or vigorous motion
to toss together
vsto stir
  • Informal
2 3.4

Mix a few ingredients quickly without much preparation

is slower, done using a spoon to move a liquid or substance
to paddle
vsto stir
1 2.8

To stir a mixture using a flat tool

is the usual small spoon action for liquids in ordinary kitchen bowls
to swizzle
vsto stir
1 7.2

To stir a drink with a long stick to mix it

is the simple spoon motion for liquids in general mixing tasks

Antonyms

∞ 2.3

To avoid touching and disturbing a person, animal or object

to settle
  • Specialized
13 4.4

To sink and form a layer at the bottom of a liquid

Idioms

to stir the pot
  • Informal
13 8.0

To cause trouble by saying things to make people argue

To make someone feel strong excitement or deep emotion

To make old feelings or memories strong again

Phrasal Verbs

126 4.8

To make people feel strong emotions like anger or fear

Make people feel excited or upset and attract attention

to stir trouble
  • Informal
14 5.3

To cause fights or problems between people on purpose

to stir shit
  • Offensive
6 9.9

To say or do things to make others angry and start fights

to stir up drama
  • Informal
1 7.0

To cause trouble between people to get attention

to shit-stir
  • Offensive
1 9.9

To say or do things that cause arguments and make people angry

Compounds

13 2.1

A dish made by quickly frying small pieces of food in a little hot oil while stirring

Rice quickly cooked in a little oil with vegetables or meat

shit-stir
  • Offensive
1 9.9

A person who says or does things that cause arguments and make people angry

How Vigorous

to beat
29 1.0
to whisk
28 2.8
to stir
167 1.0
to fold
  • Specialized
7 5.9

Surface Forms

stir infinitive
stirring present participle
stirs third person singular
stirred past
stirred past participle

Etymology

Stir comes from an old English word styrian meaning 'to move' or 'disturb'. Think of moving a spoon in a cup; to stir a drink is to 'move around' the liquid to mix it.