gaze
gb/ɡˈeɪz/ us/ɡˈeɪz/
B1
English
~ 600
Senses
0 senses
Verb
B1
action
1
Look steadily and intently
To look at someone or something for a long time without moving your eyes away.
Usage pattern:
to gaze at [someone/something]
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse 'gaze' with 'glance'; 'glance' means to look quickly, not for a long time.
Synonyms
stare (Implies looking fixedly, sometimes rudely or with surprise.)
|
look (More general and less intense than 'gaze'.)
Antonyms
glance (A quick or brief look, opposite of a long, steady gaze.)
Collocations
gaze at
|gaze into
|gaze out of
Themes
daily life
|emotions
|communication
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- She gazed at the painting for several minutes.
- He gazed into her eyes, smiling softly.
- The child gazed out of the window at the falling snow.
- They stood silently, gazing at the stars.
- I found myself gazing at the waves for hours.
Learner examples
- She gazed at the sky.
- He gazed into her eyes.
- The boy gazed at the cake.
- I gazed at the moon.
- We gazed at the sea.
Noun
B1
action
2
A long and steady look
When you look at someone or something for a long time without moving your eyes away.
Usage pattern:
[someone]'s gaze
Common mistake:
Some learners confuse 'gaze' with 'glare'; 'glare' means to look angrily.
Synonyms
stare (A fixed look, but can sound more rude or intense.)
|
look (More general and less intense than 'gaze'.)
Antonyms
glance (A quick or brief look instead of a steady one.)
Collocations
meet someone's gaze
|hold someone's gaze
|fix one's gaze on
Themes
daily life
|emotions
|communication
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- Her gaze was fixed on the horizon.
- He avoided her gaze.
- The teacher's gaze swept across the classroom.
- I met his gaze and smiled.
- She lowered her gaze shyly.
Learner examples
- Her gaze was on me.
- He looked away from my gaze.
- The baby's gaze followed the toy.
- I met her gaze.
- His gaze was kind.
Grammar
Dictionary form
gaze
IPA
GB/ɡˈeɪz/
US/ɡˈeɪz/
Syllables & stress
gaze (1 syllable)
Stress on 1st syllable (gaze)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: gaze
- Plural: gazes
Verb
- Base: gaze
- 3rd Person Singular: gazes
- Present Participle: gazing
- Past: gazed
Word family
Forms
gazes
noun
gazing
verb
gazed
verb
Expressions
fix one's gaze on
1/fˈɪks wˈʌnz ɡˈeɪz ˈɔn/
fixed phrase
Direct a steady look at something
To look steadily at something specific.
Examples
- She fixed her gaze on the book in front of her.
- His gaze was fixed on the road ahead.
hold someone's gaze
1/hˈoʊld sˈʌmwˌʌnz ɡˈeɪz/
fixed phrase
Maintain eye contact with someone
To keep looking into someone's eyes without looking away.
Examples
- He held her gaze for a moment before speaking.
- She couldn't hold his gaze and looked down.
meet someone's gaze
1/mˈit sˈʌmwˌʌnz ɡˈeɪz/
fixed phrase
Look back at someone looking at you
To look directly into the eyes of someone who is looking at you.
Examples
- She met his gaze without fear.
- I couldn't meet her gaze after what happened.