beady

American  

[bee-dee] / ˈbi di /

adjective

beadier, beadiest

1. beadlike; small, globular, and glittering.

   beady eyes.

2. covered with or full of beads.

---

beady British  

/ ˈbiːdɪ /

adjective

1. small, round, and glittering: used esp of eyes

2. resembling or covered with beads

---

Other Word Forms

• beadily adverb
• beadiness noun

Etymology

Origin of beady

First recorded in 1820–30; bead + -y ¹

Explanation

Something that's beady is small and shiny, resembling a round bead. Your dog might stare at you with beady eyes whenever you eat peanut butter. Beady is almost always used to describe someone's eyes, especially if they're small, dark, and gleaming with some particular intent. A greedy person might appear to have beady eyes, and so might an intent listener in a college class. The word can also mean "decorated with beads," but this is much less common. At the heart of beady is bead, from bede, "prayer bead," by way of the Old English gebed, or "prayer."

Example Sentences

The Treasury has already nudged competition authorities to make sure they are keeping a beady eye on the energy industry.

From BBC • Mar. 14, 2026

They also have developed a reputation for cuteness, borne of their beady eyes and diminutive size.

From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 18, 2025

Their black plumage, beady eyes, haunting cry and eager scavenging have earned them a prominent and creepy place in myth and folklore.

From New York Times • Jun. 19, 2024

McConnell chafed at this and his beady little eyes bulged with contempt as he had to choke down the filth Trump spewed.

From Salon • Feb. 29, 2024

Bit by bit scores of others emerged, their shiny black bodies, flailing limbs, and beady eyes glinting in the early-morning sun.

From "The Boy Who Met a Whale" by Nizrana Farook