eye
Americannoun
PLURAL
eyesPLURAL
eyen, eyne-
the organ of sight, in vertebrates typically one of a pair of spherical bodies contained in an orbit of the skull and in humans appearing externally as a dense, white, curved membrane, or sclera, surrounding a circular, colored portion, or iris, that is covered by a clear, curved membrane, or cornea, and in the center of which is an opening, or pupil, through which light passes to the retina.
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the aggregate of structures situated within or near the orbit that assist, support, or protect the eye.
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this organ with respect to the color of the iris.
blue eyes.
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the region surrounding the eye.
a black eye; puffy eyes.
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sight; vision.
a sharp eye.
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the power of seeing; appreciative or discriminating visual perception.
the eye of an artist.
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a look, glance, or gaze.
to cast one's eye at a beautiful necklace.
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an attentive look, close observation, or watch.
to be under the eye of a guard.
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regard, view, aim, or intention.
to have an eye to one's own advantage.
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a manner or way of looking at something; judgment; opinion: We are all equal in the eyes of the law.
To my eye, it's a great plan.
We are all equal in the eyes of the law.
Evaluate the text with a critical eye.
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a center of light, intelligence, influence, etc.
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something resembling or suggesting the eye in appearance, shape, etc., as the opening in the lens of a camera, a peephole, or a buttonhole.
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Botany.
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the bud of a potato, Jerusalem artichoke, etc.
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a small, contrastingly colored part at the center of a flower.
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the central spot of a target; bull's-eye.
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a choice center cut of meat.
an eye of round; the eye of the rib.
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one of the round spots on the tail feathers of a peacock.
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the hole in a needle.
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a hole made in a thing for the insertion of some object, as the handle of a tool.
the eye of an ax.
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a metal or other ring through which something, as a rope or rod, is passed.
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the loop into which a hook is inserted.
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Electronics. a photoelectric cell or similar device used to perform a function analogous to visual inspection.
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Building Trades. a ring on the end of a tension member, as an eye bar or eye bolt, for connection with another member.
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a hole formed during the maturation of cheese, especially Emmenthaler or Gruyère.
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a loop worked at the end of a rope.
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Meteorology. the approximately circular region of relatively light winds and fair weather found at the center of a severe tropical cyclone.
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Nautical. eyes, the extreme forward part of the upper deck at the bow of a vessel.
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Nautical. the precise direction from which a wind is blowing.
verb (used with object)
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to fix the eyes upon; view.
to eye the wonders of nature.
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to observe or watch narrowly.
She eyed the two strangers with suspicion.
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to make an eye in.
to eye a needle.
verb (used without object)
idioms
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give (someone) the eye, to look fixedly at (another person), especially with obvious admiration; ogle.
She ignored the men who were giving her the eye.
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catch someone's eye, to draw or attract someone's attention.
to catch the waiter's eye.
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with one's eyes open, aware of the inherent or potential risks.
She signed the papers with her eyes open.
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have an eye for, to have the ability to appreciate distinctions in; be discerning or perceptive about.
She has an eye for antique furniture.
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be all eyes, to give all one's attention to something; look intently.
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keep an eye on, to watch over attentively.
Please keep an eye on my plants while I'm away.
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an eye for an eye, repayment in kind, as revenge for an injustice.
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in a pig's eye, absolutely not; never.
In a pig's eye I will!
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run one's eye over, to glance briefly at; examine hastily.
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make eyes at, to gaze flirtatiously or amorously at.
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keep an eye out for, to be vigilant in looking or watching for.
The announcer told his listeners to keep an eye out for the escaped criminal.
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see eye to eye, to have exactly the same opinion; agree.
They have never been able to see eye to eye on politics.
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sight for sore eyes, a welcome sight; a pleasant surprise.
After our many days in the desert, the wretched village was a sight for sore eyes.
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shut one's eyes to, to refuse to see or consider; disregard.
We can no longer shut our eyes to the gravity of the situation.
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pick the eyes out, to select the best parts or items.
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keep one's eyes open, to be especially alert or observant.
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open one's eyes, to bring someone to a realization of the truth or of something previously unknown.
A trip through Asia opened his eyes to the conditions under which millions had to live.
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my eye! (a mild exclamation of contradiction or surprise).
He says he wasn't told about this? My eye!
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see with half an eye, to see or realize immediately or with ease.
Anyone can see with half an eye that the plan is doomed to fail.
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keep one's eye on the ball, to remain attentive; be especially alert.
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with an eye to, with a plan or purpose of.
with an eye to one's future.
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lay / clap / set eyes on, to catch sight of; see.
They had never laid eyes on such a big car before.
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have eyes only for, Also only have eyes for.
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to want no other person or thing but.
She was always surrounded by admirers, but she had eyes only for Harry.
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to see, or view, or desire to see only.
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noun
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the organ of sight of animals, containing light-sensitive cells associated with nerve fibres, so that light entering the eye is converted to nervous impulses that reach the brain. In man and other vertebrates the iris controls the amount of light entering the eye and the lens focuses the light onto the retina
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(often plural) the ability to see; sense of vision
weak eyes
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the visible external part of an eye, often including the area around it
heavy-lidded eyes
piercing eyes
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a look, glance, expression, or gaze
a stern eye
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a sexually inviting or provocative look (esp in the phrases give ( someone ) the ( glad ) eye, make eyes at )
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attention or observation (often in the phrases catch someone's eye, keep an eye on, cast an eye over )
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ability to recognize, judge, or appreciate
an eye for antiques
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(often plural) opinion, judgment, point of view, or authority
in the eyes of the law
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a structure or marking having the appearance of an eye, such as the bud on a twig or potato tuber or a spot on a butterfly wing
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a small loop or hole, as at one end of a needle
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a small area of low pressure and calm in the centre of a tornado or cyclone
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See photocell
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informal See private eye
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informal acutely vigilant or observant
the children were all eyes
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informal rubbish; nonsense
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retributive or vengeful justice; retaliation
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to look rudely at a person and then turn one's face away sharply while closing one's eyes: a gesture of contempt
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with every possible effort
he went at the job eyes out
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sport to become accustomed to the conditions, light, etc, with a consequent improvement in one's performance
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a modicum of perceptiveness
anyone with half an eye can see she's in love
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continuing unobtrusive observation or awareness
the dog had half an eye on the sheep
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to be interested in
she has eyes only for him
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pictured within the mind; imagined or remembered vividly
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exposed to public curiosity or publicity
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to watch with special attention (for)
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to watch vigilantly (for)
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to look at someone openly and without shame or embarrassment
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old-fashioned to ogle amorously
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hidden motives, meaning, or facts
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to select the best parts or pieces (of)
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to agree (with)
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(usually used with a negative) to see
she had never laid eyes on him before
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nautical the direction from which the wind is blowing
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to pretend not to notice or ignore deliberately
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extremely busy (with)
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in a … manner
he regards our success with a jealous eye
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(preposition)
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regarding; with reference to
with an eye to one's own interests
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with the intention or purpose of
with an eye to reaching agreement
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in the full knowledge of all relevant facts
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with great ease, esp as a result of thorough familiarity
I could drive home with my eyes shut
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without being aware of all the facts
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verb
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to look at carefully or warily
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Also: eye up. to look at in a manner indicating sexual interest; ogle
noun
"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012-
Anatomy The vertebrate organ of sight, composed of a pair of fluid-filled spherical structures that occupy the orbits of the skull. Incoming light is refracted by the cornea of the eye and transmitted through the pupil to the lens, which focuses the image onto the retina.
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Zoology An organ in invertebrates that is sensitive to light.
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Zoology See more at compound eye eyespot
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Botany A bud on a tuber, such as a potato.
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Meteorology The relatively calm area at the center of a hurricane or similar storm.
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Meteorology See more at hurricane
Other Word Forms
- eyeable adjective
- eyeless adjective
- eyelike adjective
- eyer noun
- undereye noun
- uneyeable adjective
Etymology
Origin of eye
First recorded before 900; Middle English eie, ie, Old English ēge, variant of ēage; cognate with German Auge, Icelandic auga; akin to Latin oculus “eye,” Greek ṓps “eye, face, countenance” and optós “seen, visible,” Sanskrit akṣi, Lithuanian akìs, and Slavic ( Polish ) oko, all meaning “eye”
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
As we approached the broad face of the 1930s federal building that had served as Carville’s hospital, I tried to catch my father’s eye, but I couldn’t read his face.
From Salon
The state will also keep an eye out for gifts that could make an individual ineligible to receive benefits.
From MarketWatch
She is still haunted, she said, by the instant before she left when she saw her own terror reflected in her neighbor’s eyes, and wondered if they would ever see each other again.
“It did bring tears to my eyes hearing her play and sing that song,” says Sherr.
From Los Angeles Times
The pilots signaled for emergency landing maneuvers; her life flashed before her eyes.
From Los Angeles Times
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
