gaze
gaze — verb
1. When you gaze at a person, object, or scene, you keep your eyes fixed on them fo
When you gaze at a person, object, or scene, you keep your eyes fixed on them for a fairly long time — often moved by strong curiosity, wonder, or deep thought.
Ravindra gazed at the painting for several minutes, admiring every brushstroke.
gaze at + object of admiration
Élise sat by the window and gazed out at the rain, thinking about her childhood.
gaze out at + scene (pensive looking)
The children gazed up at the night sky, amazed by the stars.
Antonia gazed at the old photograph, trying to remember her grandmother’s face.
Min gazed across the valley as the sun set behind the mountains.
文法句型
gaze + at + object
gaze + into + object
gaze + out at + object
用法筆記
Cannot take a direct object. The most common preposition is at, followed by into for depth (eyes, water, fire) and out at for scenery. Gaze upon/on sounds slightly literary.
常見錯誤
gaze — noun
1. An act of keeping your eyes directed at someone or something for a period of tim
An act of keeping your eyes directed at someone or something for a period of time, often expressing a particular feeling such as interest, admiration, or suspicion.
Benjamin returned his gaze without blinking, as if challenging her to look away first.
return someone’s gaze / meet someone’s gaze
The teacher noticed the student’s steady gaze and knew he was concentrating hard.
The cat fixed its gaze on the bird outside the window, perfectly still.
Dewi felt uncomfortable under the stranger’s intense gaze and turned away.
Reuben met her gaze across the crowded room and smiled.
- glance
very brief, casual look
文法句型
possessive + gaze
a/an + adjective + gaze
fix/meet/hold/return + possessive + gaze
用法筆記
Almost always used with a possessive (her gaze, the cat’s gaze) or an adjective (steady gaze, intense gaze). Common verb partners: fix, hold, meet, return, avoid, break. Unlike the verb sense, this can be the subject of a sentence.
常見錯誤
2. A distinctive way of seeing or interpreting a person, situation, or issue, shape
A distinctive way of seeing or interpreting a person, situation, or issue, shaped by who you are and what you have experienced.
The artist’s unique gaze brings ordinary objects to life in her paintings.
possessive + gaze as creative perspective
Paul’s medical gaze meant he noticed small changes in his patients’ conditions.
Zuri’s documentary shows the city through the gaze of someone who grew up there.
The novel examines family conflict through the gaze of each character in turn.
- perspective
more common for general opinions; gaze adds the idea of visual or observational framing
- viewpoint
neutral and widely used; gaze has a slightly more artistic or analytical flavour
- outlook
broader, covering general attitudes rather than a specific way of seeing something
文法句型
through the gaze of + person
possessive + gaze
adjective + gaze (referring to perspective)
用法筆記
More abstract than sense 1. Not used for physical looking — instead it describes a way of seeing shaped by profession, identity, or experience. Common in discussions of art, film, and literature. The related sociological phrases 'male gaze' and 'female gaze' are technical terms not covered here.