a faraway gaze

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a faraway gaze" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe someone looking into the distance, often suggesting deep thought or daydreaming. Example: "As she sat by the window, lost in a faraway gaze, the world outside seemed to fade away."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

5 human-written examples

"That's her right there," he said, pointing to a wan girl with a faraway gaze.

The New York Times - Magazine

Today, those eyes seem a screen of smoke or steel; she has a faraway gaze even when she is looking straight at you.

The Guardian - Film

But Ms. Elias's new album, "I Thought About You (a Tribute to Chet Baker)," is her take on songs associated with the cool jazz trumpeter and singer whose music evokes a faraway gaze into a cloudy sky.

The New York Times - Arts

In Ophüls's films, there's almost always a moment of The Ophüls Look — a faraway gaze at the moment of fateful decision, as if projecting that moment ahead as the moment that the character will be happy or doomed to remember for the rest of his or her life.

The New Yorker

He has white hair and a faraway gaze, and his voice soars and dips like he's telling a story to children.

Forbes

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

She has to a T that focused yet faraway gaze.

The Guardian

In fact, since the new model had come on the market, I'd noticed that randy, faraway gaze in the eyes of half a dozen of my fellow-employees, including Linda Blanco, the receptionist, who'd stopped buttoning the top three buttons of her blouse and wore shorter and shorter skirts every day.

The New Yorker

He's played by Isaach de Bankolé, whose fine bone structure and faraway gaze make him seem even further apart from the pale, suspicious Germans he lives among.

The New York Times

Always look at people with light, faraway gaze, sweet and kind.

WikiHow

"Interstellar" moved toward the 1980s, with synthesizers enfolding the guitars and clean, ethereal reverb supplanting fuzztone, while the lyrics were often abstract and faraway, gazing from a distance.

The New York Times - Arts

Trailing wistfully out of the room, these young ladies sported faraway gazes that masked fantasies spun from swanky meals, stunning clothes and sassy dialogue.

Forbes

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a faraway gaze" to subtly convey a character's internal thoughts or emotional state without explicitly stating them. This can add depth and intrigue to your writing.

Common error

Avoid using "a faraway gaze" too frequently, as it can become repetitive and lose its impact. Instead, vary your descriptions of characters' expressions to maintain reader engagement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a faraway gaze" functions primarily as a descriptive element, typically used to depict a character's state of mind or emotional disposition. It enriches narrative by suggesting introspection, longing, or detachment. As Ludwig AI pointed out, the phrase is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

66%

Wiki

16%

Academia

16%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a faraway gaze" is a descriptively potent phrase used to signify a state of contemplation, detachment, or introspection. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability in written English. While not exceedingly common, its usage is appropriate across various contexts, predominantly in news, media, and descriptive writing. Alternatives like "a distant look" or "an absent look" can offer similar nuances. The phrase's effectiveness lies in its subtlety, inviting the reader to infer the character's inner thoughts without explicit exposition. Therefore, while powerful, it should be used judiciously to avoid redundancy.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a distant look

Replaces "faraway" with "distant", emphasizing the sense of detachment or remoteness in the gaze.

a vacant stare

Focuses on the emptiness or lack of focus in the gaze, suggesting a lack of awareness.

an absent look

Highlights the person's mental absence or preoccupation, as reflected in their eyes.

a dreamy expression

Emphasizes the imaginative or fanciful quality of the person's thoughts, visible in their eyes.

a contemplative gaze

Highlights the thoughtfulness or deep reflection suggested by the person's gaze.

an introspective look

Focuses on the person's self-reflection and examination of their own thoughts and feelings.

a detached expression

Emphasizes the person's emotional distance or lack of engagement with their surroundings.

a glazed look

Suggests a lack of focus or awareness, as if the person's eyes are covered with a transparent film.

a thousand-yard stare

Implies a deep trauma or shock, often associated with soldiers or individuals who have experienced intense stress.

a wistful expression

Conveys a sense of longing or yearning for something unattainable, reflected in the person's eyes.

FAQs

How can I effectively use "a faraway gaze" in a sentence?

Use "a faraway gaze" to depict a character lost in thought or reflecting on something distant. For example: "She sat by the window, lost in "a faraway gaze", as she remembered her childhood."

What are some alternatives to describing someone with "a faraway gaze"?

You can use alternatives like "a distant look", "an absent look", or "a dreamy expression" to convey a similar meaning, depending on the specific nuance you want to express.

What does it mean when someone has "a faraway gaze"?

Generally, "a faraway gaze" suggests that someone is lost in thought, daydreaming, or reflecting on something that is not immediately present. It often implies a sense of detachment or introspection.

Is "a faraway gaze" a common expression in English?

While not the most common expression, "a faraway gaze" is recognized and understood in English. It's more literary than conversational, often appearing in descriptive writing. You can find many examples of its usage in literature and news articles.