rheumy
Americanadjective
adjective
-
of the nature of rheum
-
literary damp and unhealthy
the rheumy air
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
Etymology
Origin of rheumy
Explanation
If something's rheumy, it's moist and watery. Your dog may look spry and healthy, but his gray snout and rheumy eyes give away his age. This adjective almost always describes the damp eyes of a person or animal. If a character in a book is described as "wizened and stooped, with rheumy eyes," you can be sure they're an elderly person. Someone whose eyes water due to illness can be described this way too: "It was tragic to see all of those coughing children with rheumy eyes." Rheumy comes from rheum, "mucus," and its Greek root rheuma, "that which flows."
Vocabulary lists containing rheumy
Circe
Looking to grow your vocabulary? Check out this interactive, curated word list from our team of English language specialists at Vocabulary.com – one of over 17,000 lists we've built to help learners worldwide!
The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes
Interested in learning more words like this one? Our team at Vocabulary.com has got you covered! You can review flashcards, quiz yourself, practice spelling, and more – and it's all completely free to use!
City of the Plague God
Want to remember this word for good? Start your learning journey today with our library of interactive, themed word lists built by the experts at Vocabulary.com – we'll help you make the most of your study time!
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.
Rheumy old Paul von Hindenburg moves slowly but with exceeding thoroughness.
From Time Magazine Archive
Rheumy old eyes glowered as the proposition was voted down.
From Time Magazine Archive
Rheumy old Brer Briand remained stubborn to the end.
From Time Magazine Archive
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.
