What is stir? Pronunciation and usage in English

stir means . Learn how to pronounce and use stir through vivid examples and easy-to-understand exercises.

Definition & pronunciation of stir

stirverb

/stəː/
Definition & pronunciation of stir

Okay, let's break down how to pronounce "stir." It's a tricky one for some learners! Here's a breakdown:

The Most Common Pronunciation (American English):

  • ˈstɜːr (This is the most common pronunciation you'll hear in the United States.)

    • ˈst: This is the stressed syllable. It sounds like "st" as in "stop." It's a short, sharp sound.
    • ɜːr: This is the unstressed syllable. It sounds like "tur" as in "butter." The "r" is slightly rolled, but not as dramatically as in some other languages.

The British English Pronunciation:

  • stɪr (This is the typical pronunciation in the UK.)

    • stɪ: This is the stressed syllable. It sounds like "stih" (like the "i" in "bit"). The "t" is almost silent.
    • r: The "r" is a very subtle, almost tacked-on sound. It's not pronounced.

Tips for Getting It Right:

  • Focus on the first syllable: Make sure you emphasize the "st" sound.
  • Mid-Atlantic pronunciation: Years ago, the BBC used a deliberately neutral pronunciation (often called "Mid-Atlantic English") for news broadcasts, which is sometimes used as a teaching aid. This would be closer to the British pronunciation: 'stihr'. However, it's less common now.
  • Listen to examples: The best way to learn is to hear it spoken. Here are a few helpful resources:
    • Google Translate: Type "stir" into Google Translate and click the speaker icon. (It will usually give you the American pronunciation.)
    • Forvo: https://forvo.com/word/stir/ - This website has audio pronunciations from native speakers around the world.

To summarize:

Pronunciation Stress Sound (approximate)
ˈstɜːr 1st Syllable "st" + "tur"
stɪr 1st Syllable "stih" (with a silent 't')

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  • Repeat the pronunciation?
  • Give you more examples of how "stir" is used in a sentence?

Usage and examples with the word stir in English

The word "stir" is a wonderfully versatile word in English, with multiple meanings! Here's a breakdown of how to use it, broken down by category:

1. As a Verb - Mixing/Agitating:

  • To mix something: This is the most common usage.
    • "Stir the sauce until it's smooth."
    • "Give the coffee a stir."
    • "Stir the batter to combine the ingredients."
  • To lightly agitate or move something: This often implies a gentle movement.
    • "A few leaves stirred in the pond."
    • "The wind stirred the branches of the trees."
    • "He stirred the embers of the fire to keep them burning."

2. As a Verb - To Cause Activity or Interest (Figurative):

This is where "stir" gets more interesting and literary. It means to evoke feelings, thoughts, or action.

  • To provoke or excite:
    • "The politician’s speech stirred passions in the crowd."
    • “His words stirred a sense of unease within me.”
  • To cause change or movement (often of opinions):
    • "The scandal stirred up controversy."
    • "The discovery stirred debate about the past."
  • To awaken (a feeling, memory, or emotion):
    • "The old photo stirred a wave of nostalgic memories."

3. As a Noun - A Movement or Slight Agitation:

  • A small movement or disturbance: This refers to the actual physical movement.
    • “There was a stir at the back of the room.” (meaning someone moved or rustled)
    • "A sudden stir in the water indicated a fish nearby."
  • An emotion or feeling: (More poetic, often used in literature)
    • "A stir of hope filled her heart."

4. As a Noun - A Person or Group (Often Used in a Historical Context):

  • A group of people, especially if potentially rebellious or troublesome: This usage is more archaic.
    • "The Dark Stir – a faction of dissenters” (from a historical novel)

Here's how to break it down based on context:

  • Physical Mixing: “Stir” + a substance (sauce, batter, coffee)
  • Figurative Emotion: “Stir” + a feeling (passions, unease, hope)
  • Physical Movement: “A stir” + something (water, room, leaves)

Tips for Using "Stir" Effectively:

  • Consider the tone: “Stir” can sound quite sophisticated, especially when used figuratively.
  • Pay attention to the context. The meaning of "stir" is heavily dependent on how it’s being used.
  • Synonyms: Depending on the context, consider using synonyms like “mix,” “agitate,” “move,” “revive,” “awaken,” or “inspire”.

Resources for More Examples:

Would you like me to:

  • Give you some example sentences using "stir" in different ways?
  • Explain a specific usage of "stir" in more detail (e.g., the figurative meaning)?

Synonyms for the word stir

Idioms of the word stir

stir the blood
to make somebody excited
  • The atmosphere in a theatre never failed to stir her blood.
stir your stumps
(old-fashioned, British English, informal)to begin to move; to hurry

    Practice with vocabulary stir

    Exercise 1: Fill in the blanks

    1. The board's controversial decision began to ______ considerable debate among stakeholders.
    2. Before applying, you must thoroughly ______ the contents of the paint can to ensure an even color distribution.
    3. The keynote speaker managed to ______ a sense of urgency about climate change in the audience.
    4. To ensure the chemicals are thoroughly ______, gently mix the solution with the glass rod for five minutes.

    Exercise 2: Choose the correct answer (there may be multiple correct answers per question)

    1. The documentary managed to _______ strong feelings of empathy in viewers, prompting many to donate to the cause. A) evoke B) suppress C) stir D) calm E) ignite

    2. When preparing the adhesive, remember to _______ the components thoroughly until a consistent mixture is achieved before application. A) combine B) separate C) dilute D) stir E) filter

    3. His unexpected resignation is likely to _______ speculation about the company's future and its upcoming product launch. A) quell B) prevent C) stir up D) initiate E) provoke

    4. To create a cohesive team, managers should strive to _______ individual strengths and diverse perspectives into a unified effort. A) merge B) blend C) isolate D) divide E) integrate

    5. The inflammatory rhetoric served only to _______ unrest among the protestors, leading to further demonstrations. A) pacify B) quell C) provoke D) instigate E) soothe

    Exercise 3: Rewrite the sentences

    1. The recent policy announcement caused a lot of excitement and discussion among the employees. Rewrite using "stir" or a related word form:

    2. The CEO's remarks during the quarterly meeting were aimed at generating enthusiasm among the sales team. Rewrite using "stir" or a related word form:

    3. It's crucial to mix the ingredients thoroughly before baking the cake to ensure a consistent texture. Rewrite without using "stir" or any related word form:

    Answer:

    Exercise 1: Fill in the blanks

    1. stir
    2. stir
    3. arouse
    4. combined

    Exercise 2: Choose the correct answer

    1. A) evoke, C) stir, E) ignite
    2. A) combine, D) stir
    3. C) stir up, D) initiate, E) provoke
    4. A) merge, B) blend, E) integrate
    5. C) provoke, D) instigate

    Exercise 3: Rewrite the sentences

    1. The recent policy announcement managed to stir up a lot of excitement and discussion among the employees.
    2. The CEO's remarks during the quarterly meeting were aimed at stirring enthusiasm among the sales team.
    3. It's crucial to blend the ingredients thoroughly before baking the cake to ensure a consistent texture.

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