Meaning & use
stirrings
Last updated
“stirrings” is a form of “stirring”. See that entry for the full set of meanings.
Meanings
nounpluralliterary
Early, faint feelings or signs of something that is beginning to develop.
Grammar: Used as a plural noun; often followed by 'of': stirrings of hope.
Patterns
- stirrings of something
- first stirrings of something
She felt the first stirrings of love for him.
There were stirrings of protest across the country.
He noticed stirrings of doubt in his own mind.
nounpluralliterary
Small movements or slight activity, especially when something begins to wake or become active.
Grammar: Often used with 'first' or 'early' to show the beginning of movement.
Patterns
- stirrings of life
- stirrings in something
By dawn there were stirrings in the camp.
The first stirrings of spring could be seen in the garden.
Word forms
| singular | stirring |
|---|
Common combinations
- first stirrings
- The first stirrings of rebellion appeared in the capital.
- stirrings of love
- The novel describes the stirrings of love between two strangers.
- stirrings of hope
- Even in prison, he felt stirrings of hope.
- early stirrings
- Early stirrings of the movement were peaceful.
Synonyms and how they differ
- beginnings
- More neutral and general; 'stirrings' suggests faint, emotional early signs.
- hints
- Suggests indirect signs rather than inner feelings.
- movements
- Focuses on physical motion, not emotion.
Word family
Commonly confused: stirrings or staring?
stirrings vs staring
Looking at something for a long time; sounds similar but has no connection to feelings or beginnings.
Practice
Which sentence uses 'stirrings' most naturally?
Choose one answer.
'Stirrings' means faint early feelings, so 'the first stirrings of anger' fits. The other options treat it as a physical object or a gift, which is not its meaning.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “stirrings”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.