Word

gaze

noun C1

/ɡeɪz/

Meanings

noun

a steady, fixed look at someone or something

verb

to look steadily at something for a period of time, often with interest or admiration

Definition

A gaze is a steady, attentive look at someone or something.

A gaze is a fixed or steady look, often held for a moment because something has caught your attention. It can be neutral, curious, or emotionally charged, depending on the situation. The verb also means to look steadily at something, usually for longer than a quick glance.

Examples

I held my gaze on the speaker, determined not to miss any nuance in her argument.
You could tell from your steady gaze that the idea had genuinely surprised you.
He dropped his gaze when the conversation turned uncomfortably personal.
Her gaze lingered on the old photograph as if she were reconstructing the story behind it.
They exchanged a brief gaze across the room before returning to their separate conversations.

Common mistake

Learners often confuse "gaze" with "glance"—a gaze is steady and longer, while a glance is quick.