# stir

> English word · Verb · IPA /stɜː/ · frequency rank #7,614

## Definitions
1. To disturb the relative position of the particles (of a liquid or similar) by passing an object through it.
2. To disturb the content of (a container) by passing an object through it.
3. To emotionally affect; to touch, to move.
4. To incite to action.
5. To bring into debate; to agitate.
6. To disturb, to disrupt.
7. To change the place of in any manner; to move.
8. To begin to move, especially gently, from a still or unmoving position.
9. Of a feeling or emotion: to rise, begin to be felt.
10. To be in motion; to be active or bustling; to exert or busy oneself.
11. To rise from sleep or unconsciousness.

## Etymology
From Middle English stiren, sturien, steren, from Old English styrian (“to be in motion, move, agitate, stir, disturb, trouble”), from Proto-Germanic *sturiz (“turmoil, noise, confusion”), related to Proto-West Germanic *staurijan (“to destroy, disturb”). Cognate with Old Norse styrr (“turmoil, noise, confusion”), German stören (“to disturb”), Dutch storen (“to disturb”).

## Easily confused with
- **STR** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/stir-vs-str)
- **STS** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/stir-vs-sts)
- **Stu** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/stir-vs-stu)
- **Sui** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/stir-vs-sui)
- **STM** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/stir-vs-stm)
- **STP** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/stir-vs-stp)
- **stop** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/stir-vs-stop)
- **suit** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/stir-vs-suit)
- **swim** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/stir-vs-swim)
- **stud** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/stir-vs-stud)
- **stun** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/stir-vs-stun)
- **stub** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/stir-vs-stub)
- **stow** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/stir-vs-stow)
- **swig** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/stir-vs-swig)
- **Styx** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/stir-vs-styx)
- **story** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/stir-vs-story)
- **store** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/stir-vs-store)
- **storm** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/stir-vs-storm)
- **strip** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/stir-vs-strip)
- **swirl** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/stir-vs-swirl)

## Common misspellings (6)
`sitr`, `sstir`, `stirr`, `stri`, `sttir`, `tsir`

## Source
Compiled from Wiktionary via kaikki.org (CC BY-SA). Data vintage: 2026-05-06.
Canonical page: https://plainspell.com/en/word/stir