stir
gb/stˈɚ/ us/stˈɚ/
A2
English
~ 3000
kever, érzelmeket kelt, felkavar, megindít, megmozdul, moccan, feltűnés, felhajtás, visszhang, sitt, dutyi, kóter
VERB
A2
1
kever
A2
Usage pattern:
to stir [something] with [something]
Stir the soup gently so it doesn’t spill.
Óvatosan keverd meg a levest, nehogy kilöttyenjen.
She stirred the sugar into her coffee.
Belekeverte a cukrot a kávéjába.
The recipe says to stir the sauce for five minutes.
He stirred the paint before applying it to the wall.
Learner examples
Please stir the tea.
Kérlek, keverd meg a teát.
Stir the rice slowly.
Lassan kevergesd a rizst.
I stir the soup with a spoon.
She stirs her coffee every morning.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse 'stir' with 'shake'. 'Stir' uses an object like a spoon inside the container, while 'shake' moves the whole container.
Meaning
Mix a substance by movement
Collocations
stir the sauce
|stir the soup
|stir in sugar
|stir gently
|stir constantly
Synonyms
mix (More general; can include combining solids or liquids without necessarily moving them around continuously.)
Antonyms
leave alone (Means not touching or moving the substance, opposite of stirring.)
Themes
cooking
|daily life
|food_drink
|daily_life
Definition
To move a liquid or soft food around with a spoon or stick to mix it.
To mix a liquid or other substance by moving it around with a spoon or similar object.
VERB
B1
2
Usage pattern:
to stir [someone/something]
The speech stirred the audience to action.
A beszéd cselekvésre ösztönözte a közönséget.
The movie stirred deep feelings in me.
A film mély érzéseket keltett bennem.
His words stirred anger among the workers.
The tragic news stirred sympathy around the world.
Learner examples
The story stirred me.
A történet felkavart.
Her song stirred my heart.
A dala megérintette a szívemet.
The news stirred many people.
His words stirred the crowd.
Common mistake:
Learners may confuse this with the physical mixing meaning; here, 'stir' is about emotions, not objects.
Meaning
Cause strong emotion or excitement
Collocations
stir public opinion
|stir emotions
|stir anger
|stir interest
Synonyms
arouse (Slightly more formal; often used for awakening emotions or desires.)
Antonyms
calm (To reduce emotional intensity, opposite of stirring emotions.)
Themes
emotions
|communication
Definition
To make someone feel a strong emotion.
To cause someone to feel a strong emotion such as excitement, anger, or sympathy.
VERB
B2
3
Usage pattern:
[someone/something] stirs
She stirred in her sleep when I entered the room.
Álmában megmozdult, amikor beléptem a szobába.
He didn’t stir all night.
Egész éjjel meg sem moccant.
The cat stirred when it heard the noise.
Learner examples
He stirs in bed.
Megmozdul az ágyban.
The baby stirred when she heard me.
A baba megmozdult, amikor meghallotta a hangomat.
I stirred when the alarm rang.
Meaning
Move slightly from stillness
Collocations
not stir
|barely stir
|stir in bed
Synonyms
shift (A small movement, often of position; more general than 'stir'.)
Antonyms
remain still (To stay completely without movement.)
Themes
daily life
|core_vocabulary
Definition
To move a little after being still or sleeping.
To begin to move slightly after being still or asleep.
NOUN
B2
4
Her sudden resignation caused quite a stir at the office.
Váratlan felmondása nagy feltűnést keltett az irodában.
The celebrity’s visit created a stir among fans.
A híresség látogatása nagy felhajtást keltett a rajongók körében.
The announcement made a stir in political circles.
Learner examples
The news made a stir in town.
A hír nagy feltűnést keltett a városban.
His book caused a stir online.
A könyve nagy visszhangot váltott ki az interneten.
The game caused a stir at school.
Meaning
Public excitement or interest
Collocations
cause a stir
|create a stir
|make a stir
Synonyms
commotion (Focuses more on noisy disturbance, whereas 'stir' can be quieter but emotionally charged.)
Antonyms
calm (A peaceful state without public excitement.)
Themes
emotions
|media
|communication
Definition
A time when many people feel excited, upset, or interested because of something.
A situation where many people are excited, upset, or interested in something.
NOUN
C1
SLANG
5
He’s been in stir for two years now.
Már két éve sitten van.
They met while doing time in stir.
Akkor ismerkedtek meg, amikor sitten ültek.
The gang leader is back in stir.
Learner examples
He is in stir now.
Most sitten van.
My uncle was in stir for five years.
A nagybátyám öt évet ült sitten.
They are in stir together.
Meaning
Slang for prison or jail
Collocations
in stir
Synonyms
jail (Standard term; 'stir' is informal slang.)
Antonyms
freedom (State of being free, opposite of being in prison.)
Themes
crime
|law
Definition
(Slang) A place where criminals are kept as punishment, prison.
(Slang) Prison or jail.
Grammar
Dictionary form
stir
IPA
GB/stˈɚ/
US/stˈɚ/
Syllables & stress
stir (1 syllable)
Stress on 1st syllable (stir)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: stir
- Plural: stirs
Verb
- Base: stir
- 3rd Person Singular: stirs
- Present Participle: stirring
- Past: stirred
Word family
Forms
stirs
noun
stirring
verb
stirred
verb
Core family
stirrer
noun
Advanced or less common
stirringly
adverb
Highlights
- Irregular present participle: stirring Verb
- Irregular past: stirred Verb
Expressions
stir up trouble
1/stˈɚ ˈʌp tɹˈʌbəl/
idiom
Deliberately cause problems or conflict
To try to make problems between people on purpose.
Examples
- She enjoys stirring up trouble at work.
- Stop stirring up trouble between your friends.
stir-fry
1/stˈɚ fɹˈaɪ/
fixed phrase
Cook quickly in oil while stirring constantly
To cook small pieces of food fast in hot oil and keep mixing them while cooking.
Examples
- I will stir-fry some vegetables for dinner.
- She learned how to stir-fry chicken and broccoli.
cause a stir
1/kˈɔz ə stˈɚ/
idiom
Create public excitement or interest unexpectedly
To make many people excited, interested, or angry suddenly.
Examples
- The singer’s surprise appearance caused a stir in the crowd.
- Her dress caused quite a stir at the party.
cause a stir
2/kˈɔz ə stˈɚ/
idiom
Create public interest or commotion
To make many people interested, surprised, or upset about something.
Examples
- The celebrity's sudden visit caused a stir in the small town.
- His comments caused a stir among students.
stir up emotions
1/stˈɚ ˈʌp ɪmˈoʊʃənz/
fixed phrase
Cause strong feelings in people
To make people feel strong emotions like anger or happiness.
Examples
- The news story stirred up emotions across the country.
- The movie stirred up emotions from my childhood.
- That song always stirs up emotions in me.
- His words stirred up emotions in the audience.