wide stare

USAGE SUMMARY

"wide stare" can be used in written English and is an appropriate phrase.
It is used to describe a deep, intense look, usually filled with surprise, shock, or awe. Example sentence: The little girl gazed up at the fireworks with a wide stare of wonder.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

The hardness and the brightness and the plain Far-reaching singleness of that wide stare Is a reminder of the strength and pain Of being young; that it can't come again, But is for others undiminished somewhere.

The New Yorker

"'Help!'" Today Herman and Barbero look like more tempered versions of their younger selves, though Bjelland retains a touch of wildness – there in the fuzzy edges of her hair and the wide stare of her pale blue eyes.

The Guardian - Music

Look for a wide stare.

WikiHow

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

Whenever she was around, staring her wide-eyed stare and talking aloud to nobody in particular, I kept stumbling and dropping things.

The New Yorker

"She gives me this wide-eyed stare, and then I mouthed I was kidding".

The New York Times

The most instinctive response to the play of LeBron James is a wide-eyed stare.

The New York Times

Inside were whole smoked fish, petrified in their final wide-eyed stare.

The New Yorker

Here, despite Ms. Smith's unrelenting, wide-eyed stare of smiling wonder, is nothing to amaze.

The New York Times - Arts

The round goby, a small fish with an almost endearing wide-eyed stare, reproduces prolifically and eats voraciously.

The New York Times

You sense her awareness of it in her cautious demeanor and, in her open, wide-eyed stare, also the hope that it will go away.

The New York Times

If Jeff, with his boyish, wide-eyed stare and blank expression, personifies a spoiled contemporary man-child, Mr. Maguire makes this essentially disagreeable character almost sympathetic.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "wide stare" to vividly describe a character's reaction to something surprising, shocking, or awe-inspiring. It effectively conveys a sense of being taken aback or overwhelmed.

Common error

Be mindful of the context. While a "wide stare" can indicate shock or surprise, it can also be misinterpreted as a sign of aggression, particularly in animals. Ensure your description clarifies the intended emotion.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "wide stare" functions primarily as a descriptive noun phrase. It combines the adjective "wide" to modify the noun "stare", creating a vivid image of someone's gaze, often indicating a state of surprise, shock, or intense focus, as supported by Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

67%

Wiki

33%

Science

0%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "wide stare" is a grammatically correct and descriptive term used to portray a gaze characterized by widened eyes, often conveying surprise, shock, or intense focus. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's suitable for use in written English. While relatively rare in occurrence, appearing mostly in news and media contexts, the phrase effectively communicates a visual image and the subject's emotional state. Alternatives such as "open-eyed gaze" or "intense gaze" can be used to emphasize different aspects of the expression. When using "wide stare", ensure that the context clarifies the intended emotion to avoid misinterpretation. It is important to consider the specific emotion behind the "wide stare" in order to provide a clear and informative description to the reader.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

open-eyed gaze

Emphasizes the openness and innocence of the look, shifting focus from width to openness.

blank stare

Highlights the lack of expression or comprehension in the stare, contrasting with a potentially emotive "wide stare".

intense gaze

Focuses on the intensity and concentration of the look, rather than the physical widening of the eyes.

fixed gaze

Indicates an unwavering and focused look, differing from "wide stare" by emphasizing stillness and focus.

astonished look

Highlights the emotion of astonishment or surprise conveyed through the facial expression, replacing the literal description.

surprised expression

Shifts the focus to the overall facial expression of surprise, rather than specifically the eyes.

innocent eyes

Emphasizes the innocence and naivety conveyed by the eyes, rather than just their physical appearance.

startled look

Conveys a sense of shock or surprise through the facial expression, focusing on the suddenness of the emotion.

unblinking gaze

Focuses on the unwavering nature of the stare. A "wide stare" may or may not be unblinking.

deer in headlights look

Uses an idiomatic expression to describe a look of fear or shock, replacing the literal description with a figurative one.

FAQs

How can I describe a "wide stare" in more detail?

To add detail, specify the emotion behind the stare, such as a "wide stare of disbelief", or describe the physical characteristics, like a "wide, unblinking stare".

What emotions are commonly associated with a "wide stare"?

A "wide stare" is often associated with emotions like surprise, shock, fear, wonder, or disbelief. The specific emotion depends on the context.

Is it appropriate to use "wide-eyed stare" instead of "wide stare"?

Yes, "wide-eyed stare" is a common and acceptable alternative. It emphasizes the size and openness of the eyes.

When might a "blank stare" be a better choice than a "wide stare"?

Use "blank stare" when describing a lack of understanding, emotion, or focus. A "wide stare" usually implies some kind of intense reaction, while a blank stare suggests emptiness or incomprehension.