eyeball

American  

[ahy-bawl] / ˈaɪˌbɔl /

noun

1. the ball or globe of the eye.

2. Informal. eyeballs, people who view or read something.

   Old TV shows are getting a lot of eyeballs online.

---

verb (used with object)

1. Informal. to look at, check, or observe closely.

   two opponents eyeballing each other.

idioms

1. give (someone) the hairy eyeball, to look at (someone) with eyelids partly lowered, as in hostility or distrust.

eyeball British  

/ ˈaɪˌbɔːl /

noun

1. the entire ball-shaped part of the eye

2. in close confrontation

---

verb

1. slang (tr) to stare at

Other Word Forms

• eyeballer noun

Etymology

Origin of eyeball

1580–90; 1900–05 eyeball for def. 3; eye + ball ¹

Example Sentences

As it ought to be, the interior is spectacular, with traditional eyeball vents and chromed organ-pull dampers sharing space with discretely deployed digital displays and other modern conveniences.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 4, 2026

He had seen documentaries in which robotic animals with eyeball cameras captured footage of natural habitats.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 4, 2026

An eyeball scan is required to enter, and no photographs are permitted.

From Barron's • Dec. 10, 2025

This time, the humans aren’t hunted by one xenomorph but two, including a teacup version, along with a hyper-intelligent eyeball monster and a killer plant.

From Salon • Sep. 24, 2025

So I just watched her for a little bit while she scratched up all the dirt with her toes and put her eyeball right down near the ground to check and see if anything wiggled.

From "Unusual Chickens for the Exceptional Poultry Farmer" by Kelly Jones

Related Words

• analyze
• check
• check out
• comb
• consider
• dissect
• explore
• inspect
• investigate
• look over
• peruse
• pore over
• probe
• scan
• sift
• watch
• weigh