noun / verb

gaze

GAYZ/ɡeɪz/

A steady, intent look, or to look this way.

A young man gazes intently at a fish in a small aquarium.

A young man rests his chin on his hands beside a small aquarium, his still posture and focused eyes directed intently at a single fish.

Etymology

Middle English gazen already meant looking steadily and intently, so the central meaning has remained stable. A Scandinavian origin is probable, with dialectal gasa “to gape” offered as a comparison.

In context

Shakespeare Line By Line2:36

Here all eyes gaze on us. Men's eyes were made to look and let them gaze.

Act 3 Scene 1 - Romeo and Juliet - Shakespeare Line by Line

More examples

She gazes out the window while her tea cools.
His gaze remains fixed on the distant mountains.
I follow her gaze toward the open doorway.

Forms

gaze · gazes · gazed · gazing

Similar words

stare: Suggests a more fixed look, often rude or startled.
look: Refers broadly to looking, without implying steadiness or intensity.