These words mean to turn the eyes towards something either in an effort to see it or to convey a specific meaning or emotion. Look is the most general word and may mean merely to direct the eyes: to look out the window; to look at pictures in a magazine. One may also look in such a way as to communicate particular feeling: to look wistfully at a mink coat; to look daggers at an intruder.

Gaze is to look long and steadily, often with the implication of wonder, admiration, fascination, etc.: to gaze at a beautiful view; to gaze into the eyes of a loved one.

Glance refers to the act of looking briefly at something when one is preoccupied or in a hurry.

• On the bus I always manage to glance at the headlines in the newspaper.

Peer suggests a looking with a narrowing of the eyes and often a movement of the head, usually forwards. To peer may mean to look inquiringly or searchingly or may simply indicate difficulty in seeing clearly.

• He peered surreptitiously into his wallet to see if he had enough money to pay the bill. Near-sighted people often peer at you when they are not wearing their glasses.

Stare is to gaze intently, especially with wide-open eyes, as in amazement, admiration or fear: to stare at a drunkard reeling down the street; to stare in terror into the muzzle of a loaded gun. Stare may also connote insolence, or at least rudeness, on the part of the viewer, and may or may not be intentional.

• Children should be taught not to stare at handicapped people; The high-school boys gather on the corner to stare at the passing girls.

Glare is to stare fiercely or threateningly and always emphasizes hostility or fear: a trapped eagle glaring at his captors; to glare at one’s opponent in an argument.