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.

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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

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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

Time indoors looking at screens can cause eyeballs to elongate, leaving kids nearsighted for life.

From The Wall Street Journal

Nearsightedness typically develops between ages 3 and 10, when the eyeballs are rapidly growing, though it can progress during adolescence and young adulthood.

From The Wall Street Journal

Entertainment companies are counting on experiences to be their biggest growth engine for the next several years, as television keeps losing eyeballs to YouTube and box-office sales remain soft.

From The Wall Street Journal

What consequential life experiences have I missed, taunting my eyeballs, indulging this social media imp turned experimental pugilist as he bumbles around the ring with has-beens and never-weres?

From The Wall Street Journal

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

From Barron's

Related Words

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