gaze

gaze — verb

1. When you gaze at a person, object, or scene, you keep your eyes fixed on them fo

1.verbintransitiveB2
Definition

When you gaze at a person, object, or scene, you keep your eyes fixed on them for a fairly long time — often moved by strong curiosity, wonder, or deep thought.

Example

Ravindra gazed at the painting for several minutes, admiring every brushstroke.

gaze at + object of admiration

Élise sat by the window and gazed out at the rain, thinking about her childhood.

gaze out at + scene (pensive looking)

Common collocations
  • gaze at
  • gaze into
  • gaze upon
  • gaze out at
  • gaze in wonder
  • gaze in amazement
  • gaze thoughtfully
Synonyms
  • stare

    longer and more intense than gaze; can be rude or aggressive if directed at a person

  • peer

    implies effort to see something unclear or distant

  • look

    general word for directing your eyes; shorter in duration and less emotional weight

Antonyms
  • glance

    a quick, brief look without sustained attention

  • peek

    a quick or secret look, often through a small opening

Grammar Patterns

gaze + at + object

gaze + into + object

gaze + out at + object

Usage Note

Cannot take a direct object. The most common preposition is at, followed by into for depth (eyes, water, fire) and out at for scenery. Gaze upon/on sounds slightly literary.

Common Mistakes

She gazed him with admiration.
She gazed at him with admiration.
gaze is intransitive and always needs a preposition before the object.
I gazed the stars all night.
I gazed at the stars all night.
the preposition at (or up at) is required before the thing being looked at.

gaze — noun

Word family

  • gazer
    nounC1

Synonym discussion

Sense: verb/1

All four words describe directing your eyes at something, but they differ in duration, intensity, and purpose. Gaze suggests a long, steady look driven by interest, admiration, or deep thought — it is neutral or positive in tone. Stare is longer and more intense, often carrying a sense of rudeness, emptiness, or surprise (e.g., 'It is rude to stare at strangers.'). Peer is shorter and implies effort: you peer when you are trying to see something unclear or distant, often with squinting. Glance is the opposite of gaze — a very quick, casual look with no sustained attention. For example, you gaze at a sunset but glance at your watch; you peer at a small sign in dim light, and you might stare in disbelief at a surprising result.

gaze ↗stare ↗peer ↗glance ↗

Common collocations

Nouns

Adverbs

Phrases

  • lost in thought
  • in wonder
  • in amazement
  • with admiration

Prepositions

Etymology

Old NorseMiddle EnglishEnglish

Gaze entered English in the 13th century from Middle English gazen, possibly borrowed from an Old Norse word related to Swedish gapa (to stare with mouth open, as in astonishment). The core meaning has stayed remarkably stable — looking intently, with absorbed attention — for over 700 years.