bird's-eye

American  

[burdz-ahy] / ˈbɜrdzˌaɪ /

adjective

1. seen from above, as by a bird in flight; panoramic.

   a bird's-eye view of the city.

2. omitting many details; broad; superficial; general.

   a bird's-eye view of ancient history.

3. having spots or markings resembling the eyes of a bird.

   bird's-eye tweed.

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noun

• bird's-eyes
  plural

1. any of various plants having small, round, bright-colored flowers, as a primrose, Primula farinosa, or a speedwell, Veronica chamaedrys.

2. Textiles.

   1. a woven, allover pattern on fabrics, characterized chiefly by small diamond shapes resembling the eyes of a bird.

   2. a fabric having this pattern, especially a cotton used for diapers or a linen used for toweling.

bird's-eye British  

adjective

1. 1. seen or photographed from high above

   2. summarizing the main points of a topic; summary (esp in the phrase bird's-eye view )

2. having markings resembling birds' eyes

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noun

1. a Eurasian primrose, Primula farinosa , having clusters of purplish flowers with yellow centres

2. the usual US name for germander speedwell

3. any of several other plants having flowers of two contrasting colours

4. a pattern in linen and cotton fabrics, made up of small diamond shapes with a dot in the centre of each

5. a linen or cotton fabric with such a pattern

Other Word Forms

Noun Inflected Forms

• bird's-eyes
  plural

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Etymology

Origin of bird's-eye

First recorded in 1590–1600; bird + 's ¹ + eye

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Example Sentences

See Examples For:

bird's-eye bird's-eyes

His film takes a bird’s-eye approach to conflict, carefully studying how the systems set in place for our common good, on either side of the party or religious lines, can cause plenty of damage, too.

From Salon ● Sep. 19, 2026

A glowing Ferris wheel churned nearby, offering a bird’s-eye view of the main stage.

From The Wall Street Journal ● May 8, 2026

For that reason, I suggest you enlist independent third-party help: a fee-only fiduciary who can give you a bird’s-eye view of your finances and who has no incentive to sell you another policy.

From MarketWatch ● May 6, 2026

Only one small piece of the house remained: a brick fireplace with its chimney, situated near windows with bird’s-eye views of the Pacific Ocean below.

From Los Angeles Times ● Dec. 5, 2025

As if she were seeing herself from some strange bird’s-eye view high above, Penelope watched herself give Edward Ashton the cannibal book.

From "The Interrupted Tale" by Maryrose Wood

They were a beautiful blue, not like any other blue, not like the violets in the garden, or the sky over the trees, or the geranium in the grass, or the bird's-eyes by the path.

From The Open Air by Richard Jefferies

The little blossoms have a peculiarly fresh and winsome look, and are called "bird's-eyes" by the children.

From The Wild Flowers of California: Their Names, Haunts, and Habits by Mary Elizabeth Parsons

Logs of great value, having bird's-eyes, have often unsuspectingly been chopped up for fire wood.

From Wood and Forest by William Noyes

The bird’s-eyes bright; Pink-tipp’d daisies; sorrel red, Drooping o’er the lark’s green bed; Oxlips; glazed buttercups, Out of which the wild bee sups; See! they dance about thy feet!

From Blackwood's Edinburgh Magazine, Volume 56, Number 347, September, 1844 by Various

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Related Words

• across-the-board
• all-encompassing
• broad
• comprehensive
• exhaustive
• extensive
• radical
• thorough
• wholesale

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