STARING

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 Dictionary entry overview: What does staring mean? 

• STARING (adjective)
  The adjective STARING has 2 senses:

1. (used of eyes) open and fixed as if in fear or wonder

2. without qualification; used informally as (often pejorative) intensifiers

  Familiarity information: STARING used as an adjective is rare.

 Dictionary entry details 

• STARING (adjective)

Sense 1

Meaning:

(used of eyes) open and fixed as if in fear or wonder

Synonyms:

agaze; staring

Context example:

staring eyes

Similar:

open; opened (used of mouth or eyes)

Sense 2

Meaning:

Without qualification; used informally as (often pejorative) intensifiers

Synonyms:

arrant; complete; consummate; double-dyed; everlasting; gross; perfect; pure; sodding; staring; stark; thorough; thoroughgoing; unadulterated; utter

Context example:

the unadulterated truth

Similar:

unmitigated (not diminished or moderated in intensity or severity; sometimes used as an intensifier)

 Context examples 

And still we stood, the pair of us, staring at each other.

(The Sea-Wolf, by Jack London)

For a moment Alleyne stood in the window, still staring down at the silent forest, uncertain as to what he should think of these midnight walkers.

(The White Company, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)

Jonathan kept staring at him, till I was afraid he would notice.

(Dracula, by Bram Stoker)

We strode off together to the station, leaving Lestrade still staring with a delighted face at the card which Holmes had thrown him.

(The Memoirs of Sherlock Holmes, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)

She could not think it he, and lay staring up at him in startled silence, till he stooped and kissed her.

(Little Women, by Louisa May Alcott)

Through the open sitting-room window I saw a huge, swarthy man with a bristling black beard walking slowly down the centre of the street and staring eagerly at the numbers of the houses.

(His Last Bow, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)

Here I am, you see, staring at a picture.

(Persuasion, by Jane Austen)

“Very well, ma’am,” said Jim, staring from her to his uncle.

(Rodney Stone, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)

His colleague was staring at the spot where the creature had disappeared.

(The Lost World, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)

We watched him staring round with frightened eyes.

(The Return of Sherlock Holmes, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)