Word choice · B2
Glance, glimpse, stare, gaze, peer
These verbs differ on three axes: how long the look lasts, whether you chose it, and what your face is doing. A glance is short and deliberate. A glimpse is short and accidental — you catch it. A stare is long and usually rude. A gaze is long and absorbed. You peer when something is hard to see, and you glare when you are angry.
Which word, and why
- glance
short and deliberate — you chose to look
To look very quickly and on purpose, then look away.
glance at your watch · a quick glance · glance over your shoulder
- glimpse
short and accidental — you did not choose it
To see something for a moment, usually by chance or through a gap.
catch a glimpse of · glimpse the sea · a fleeting glimpse
- stare
long and fixed — often rude or shocked
To look at someone or something for a long time without moving your eyes.
stare into space · stop staring · stare in disbelief
- gaze
long and absorbed — admiring, not rude
To look steadily at something because you find it beautiful or you are lost in thought.
gaze out of the window · gaze at the stars · gaze in wonder
- peer
you look hard because seeing is difficult
To look closely, screwing up your eyes, when the light or the distance is against you.
peer into the darkness · peer over his glasses · peer through the fog
- glare
angry — the look is a message
To look at someone with obvious hostility.
glare at him · a furious glare · glare across the table
- peekinformal
furtive — at something you should not see
To take a quick look at something secretly.
peek at the answers · no peeking · peek round the door
- scan
over a whole surface, hunting for one thing
To look quickly across something to find a specific detail.
scan the horizon · scan the crowd · scan the departures board
- skim
read fast for the gist, not the detail
To read something quickly to get the general sense.
skim a report · skim through the chapter · skim-read
- squint
eyes narrowed against light
To half-close your eyes because of brightness or to focus.
squint into the sun · squint at the screen
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She at her watch and realised she had four minutes.