How Do You Spell STIR?

Pronunciation: [stˈɜː] (IPA)

The word "stir" is spelled with four letters, but its pronunciation can be a bit tricky. The IPA phonetic transcription of "stir" is /stɜːr/. This means that the "s" is pronounced as a voiceless alveolar fricative, the "t" as a voiceless alveolar stop, the "ir" as a stressed lax mid-central vowel, and the final "r" is a non-rhotic "r". Therefore, to spell "stir" correctly, one needs to pay attention to the sound of each letter and how they interact with each other.

Meaning and Definition
Top Common Misspellings
Other Common Misspellings
Etymology
Idioms
Similar spelling words
Plural
Conjugate verb
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STIR Meaning and Definition

  1. Stir is a verb that refers to the act of mixing, blending, or agitating a substance or mixture by moving it around using a spoon, whisk, or any other suitable utensil. This action is typically performed in a circular or up and down motion in order to ensure the even distribution of the substances involved. Stirring is commonly employed in cooking and baking processes, as well as in scientific experiments and laboratory procedures.

    Stir can also denote the act of causing a liquid or substance to become active or move about through the application of physical force. For instance, stirring a liquid can stimulate the movement of its particles, increasing its temperature or accelerating a chemical reaction. Additionally, stirring may be done to awaken or distribute settled sediment or particles that have settled at the bottom of a liquid.

    In a figurative sense, stir can refer to the act of inciting, provoking, or arousing strong emotions, reactions, or thoughts in people. This can be achieved through an announcement, an action, or even a simple statement. Stirring can evoke a range of responses, from excitement and enthusiasm to anger and controversy. It can also pertain to the act of motivating or urging someone into action, prompting them to engage in a particular endeavor.

  2. • To put into motion; to agitate; to incite; to rouse; to stimulate; to move one's self; to become the object of notice.
    • Tumult; bustle; public disturbance or disorder; agitation.

    Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.

Top Common Misspellings for STIR *

* The statistics data for these misspellings percentages are collected from over 15,411,110 spell check sessions on www.spellchecker.net from Jan 2010 - Jun 2012.

Other Common Misspellings for STIR

Etymology of STIR

The word "stir" originated from Middle English "stiren", which can be traced back to Old English "styrian" or "styrian", meaning "to agitate, move, or rouse". This Old English term stems from the Proto-Germanic word "*sturjaną", meaning "to cause to move, disturb". Further, this Proto-Germanic root is believed to have its origins in the Proto-Indo-European word "*stewh₁-", which means "to whirl, twist, or move rapidly". The term has maintained its basic sense of stirring or agitating throughout its historical development.

Idioms with the word STIR

  • stir your stumps The idiom "stir your stumps" means to encourage someone to get moving or to take action, typically when they are being slow, lazy, or unproductive. It originated from the practice of stirring the stumps of logs or tree stumps to create fire and cause movement. In a figurative sense, it prompts someone to start or speed up their activities.
  • stir up sb/sth The idiom "stir up sb/sth" means to provoke or incite someone or something, often in a negative or troublesome way. It can refer to stirring up emotions, trouble, controversy, arguments, or any other form of disturbance.
  • cause a stir The idiom "cause a stir" means to create a commotion or stir up attention, interest, or controversy, often by doing something noticeable or unexpected. It implies the act of causing a disruption or a disturbance in a situation, usually resulting in heightened emotions or reactions from others involved.
  • stir sth around The idiom "stir sth around" typically means to mix or agitate something by moving it in a circular motion, usually using a spoon or other utensil. However, when used figuratively, it can mean to disrupt or cause unrest in a situation or organization.
  • stir sth up The idiom "stir something up" means to deliberately cause trouble, provoke emotions, or create unrest or commotion in a situation or among people.
  • stir sth into sth The idiom "stir sth into sth" means to mix or blend something into something else, typically by using a spoon or other utensil in a circular motion. It can also be used figuratively to describe the act of incorporating or adding an element or idea into a situation or discussion.
  • you should know a man seven years before you stir his fire The idiom "you should know a man seven years before you stir his fire" suggests that it takes a considerable amount of time to truly understand someone's character and personality before engaging in a strong emotional or intimate relationship with them. It emphasizes the importance of patience, cautiousness, and getting to know someone deeply before making any hasty decisions or judgments about them.
  • stir sm up The idiom "stir sm up" means to provoke, instigate, or incite someone, usually causing a strong emotional reaction or stirring up trouble or controversy. It suggests actively agitating or arousing a person's feelings, thoughts, or actions in a deliberate manner.
  • stir sm (in)to sth The idiom "stir someone (in)to something" means to provoke or incite someone to take a particular action or emotion. It implies causing someone to become actively involved in a situation or to evoke certain feelings or reactions.
  • stir up a hornet’s nest The idiom "stir up a hornet's nest" means to cause trouble or provoke a situation that results in an angry or aggressive response from a group of people. It refers to the act of intentionally agitating or disturbing a situation or group of individuals, much like disturbing a nest of hornets, which may lead to negative consequences.
  • stir up a hornets' nest The idiom "stir up a hornets' nest" means to provoke or cause trouble or controversy, often by meddling in a situation that is best left undisturbed. It refers to the idea that disturbing a hornets' nest, which houses an aggressive and dangerous species of wasp, would result in chaos, aggression, or unwanted consequences.
  • stir around The idiom "stir around" means to move or mix things by agitating or mixing them around. It can also refer to moving or shifting oneself physically in a restless or impatient manner. Additionally, it can be used metaphorically to describe causing commotion, disturbance, or discontent among people or in a situation.
  • cause/create a stir The idiom "cause/create a stir" refers to causing a commotion, disturbance, or uproar due to an action, event, or statement, often resulting in heightened attention, excitement, or controversy.
  • stir somebody's/the blood The idiom "stir somebody's/the blood" means to excite or arouse someone, typically by inspiring passion, enthusiasm, or intense emotions. It can refer to an event, activity, or even a powerful speech that strongly impacts and energizes an individual.
  • stir the blood The idiom "stir the blood" means to evoke strong emotions or intense excitement.
  • cause (quite) a stir To "cause (quite) a stir" means to create a commotion, uproar, or disturbance, often resulting in a lot of attention, controversy, or excitement being generated. It implies that something or someone has attracted significant notice or reactions, usually in a way that surprises or unsettles others.
  • stir your blood, at stir the blood The idiom "stir your blood" or "stir the blood" typically means to excite or inspire someone, usually in a passionate or emotional manner. It refers to the feeling of enthusiasm or intensity that gets one's blood pumping and ignites a strong reaction or motivation.
  • stir up a hornet's nest The idiom "stir up a hornet's nest" means to cause trouble, controversy, or anger by meddling in a situation that was better left alone. It refers to the act of agitating a nest of hornets, known for their aggressive nature and painful stings, which often leads to an angry swarm attacking. Similarly, when someone stirs up a hornet's nest, they initiate a situation that quickly becomes chaotic or hostile.
  • lift (or stir) a finger (or hand) To make even the smallest effort or exertion to help or change a situation.
  • go stir-crazy To become restless, anxious, or irritable as a result of being confined to a small or restricted space for a long period of time.
  • stir-crazy Feeling restless or anxious as a result of being confined for too long.

Similar spelling words for STIR

Plural form of STIR is STIRS

Conjugate verb Stir

CONDITIONAL

I would stir
you would stir
he/she/it would stir
we would stir
they would stir

CONDITIONAL CONTINUOUS

I would be stirring
you would be stirring
he/she/it would be stirring
we would be stirring
they would be stirring

CONDITIONAL PERFECT

I would have stir
you would have stir
he/she/it would have stir
we would have stir
they would have stir

CONDITIONAL PERFECT CONTINUOUS

I would have been stirring
you would have been stirring
he/she/it would have been stirring
we would have been stirring
they would have been stirring

FUTURE

I will stir
you will stir
he/she/it will stir
we will stir
they will stir

FUTURE CONTINUOUS

I will be stirring
you will be stirring
he/she/it will be stirring
we will be stirring
they will be stirring

FUTURE PERFECT

I will have stirred
you will have stirred
he/she/it will have stirred
we will have stirred
they will have stirred

FUTURE PERFECT CONTINUOUS

I will have been stirring
you will have been stirring
he/she/it will have been stirring
we will have been stirring
they will have been stirring

IMPERATIVE

you stir
we let´s stir

NONFINITE VERB FORMS

to stir

PAST

I stirred
you stirred
he/she/it stirred
we stirred
they stirred

PAST CONTINUOUS

I was stirring
you were stirring
he/she/it was stirring
we were stirring
they were stirring

PAST PARTICIPLE

stirred

PAST PERFECT

I had stirred
you had stirred
he/she/it had stirred
we had stirred
they had stirred

PAST PERFECT CONTINUOUS

I had been stirring
you had been stirring
he/she/it had been stirring
we had been stirring
they had been stirring

PRESENT

I stir
you stir
he/she/it stirs
we stir
they stir

PRESENT CONTINUOUS

I am stirring
you are stirring
he/she/it is stirring
we are stirring
they are stirring

PRESENT PARTICIPLE

stirring

PRESENT PERFECT

I have stirred
you have stirred
he/she/it has stirred
we have stirred
they have stirred

PRESENT PERFECT CONTINUOUS

I have been stirring
you have been stirring
he/she/it has been stirring
we have been stirring
they have been stirring
I would have stirred
we would have stirred
you would have stirred
he/she/it would have stirred
they would have stirred

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Correct spelling for stir
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