Definition

1. Noun:

   • A long, fixed look: A gaze is a steady, intent look, often showing deep thought, interest, or emotion. It implies looking at something or someone for an extended period without looking away.

2. Verb:

   • To look steadily and intently: To gaze means to look at something or someone for a long time, often with concentration, wonder, admiration, or curiosity. It suggests a fixed and absorbed look.

Examples of Usage

• Noun:

  • Her gaze was fixed on the distant mountains.
  • He felt uncomfortable under the stranger's intense gaze.

• Verb:

  • The child gazed in wonder at the stars.
  • She gazed out the window, lost in thought.

Advanced Usage

• "To gaze into": To look deeply into something, often implying searching for meaning or emotion.
  • They gazed into each other's eyes.
• "To gaze upon": A more formal or literary way to say "to look at," often with a sense of reverence or contemplation.
  • We stood gazing upon the ancient ruins.

Variants and Related Words

• Gazer (n): A person who gazes.
  • The artist was a quiet gazer of human faces.
• Gazing (n/adj): The act of gazing; characterized by gazing.
  • His gazing out to sea was a daily ritual.

Synonyms

• Stare: To look fixedly, often with wide-open eyes, sometimes implying rudeness, curiosity, or surprise.
• Gape: To stare with one's mouth open, often in amazement or stupidity.
• Peer: To look closely or with difficulty.

Related Phrasal Verbs

(Note: "Gaze" is not commonly used with particles to form standard phrasal verbs. The prepositions "at," "into," "upon," etc., are used to complete its meaning.) - Gaze at: The most common construction. - He spent hours gazing at the painting. - Gaze out (of/over): To look steadily from inside to outside. - She liked to gaze out over the city from her balcony.

Related Idioms

• To gaze into space/crystal ball: To look absently into the distance, not focusing on anything specific, or to try to predict the future.
  • He just sat there, gazing into space.
• To gaze longingly: To look with a strong desire or wish.
  • The dog gazed longingly at the food on the table.

Noun

1. a long fixed look
   • he fixed his paternal gaze on me

Verb

1. look at with fixed eyes
   • The students stared at the teacher with amazement