What does gaze mean?
Gaze is a word for looking with sustained attention. As a noun, it names a steady, prolonged, or deliberately focused look, often the kind exchanged between people in a meaningful moment. As a verb, gaze means to look fixedly at someone or something, usually with curiosity, admiration, wonder, or emotional intensity. It is more expressive and literary than the general word look, and it differs from stare, which can suggest surprise, rudeness, or intense concentration. The phrase meet someone's gaze describes a direct visual connection, while expressions such as a steady gaze and gaze into the distance evoke reflection, interest, or emotional focus. Gaze is particularly useful when an author wants to emphasize not merely that someone sees, but the quality, duration, or feeling of that act of seeing.
A steady, fixed, or prolonged look directed at someone or something.
"He lowered his gaze to the floor."
Often suggests attention, emotion, or deliberate focus, especially in a direct exchange between people.
To look steadily or attentively at someone or something, often with curiosity, admiration, or wonder.
"Tourists gazed at the ancient ruins."
Commonly used with at; it is somewhat literary and more sustained in meaning than look.
The plural is used for separate acts or instances of looking fixedly.
"Her calm gazes held the audience's attention."
A gaze is more than a look: it suggests attention, emotion, and the quiet power of holding someone's eyes.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does gaze come from?
The modern English word comes through Middle English gazen from Old French gazer, meaning to look at fixedly, and ultimately from Medieval Latin gazare. Its precise ultimate origin is not entirely certain, so etymological accounts differ on whether it has a further connection with other ancient roots. The noun developed alongside the verb, carrying the meaning of the fixed look produced by the action.
Related word forms
How gaze is actually used
The word is somewhat literary and formal compared with the more neutral look. As a verb, it commonly takes the preposition at, as in gaze at, and can suggest admiration or wonder as well as scrutiny. There is no major regional difference between standard British and American usage.