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

Inflected Forms

noun

• bird's-eyes
  plural

Etymology

Origin of bird's-eye

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

Example Sentences

In reconnaissance, a sniper can’t match the bird’s-eye view of a drone or the speed at which it can move.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 14, 2026

With his bird's-eye view of the contest, Vuletic says the contest will weather this controversy, as it has done many times before.

From BBC • May 9, 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

Hamamoto enlisted Chbeeb to collaborate with her on a bird’s-eye view video, a format he has been exploring throughout his career.

From Los Angeles Times • Aug. 6, 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

Related Words

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