eyeopener

[ ahy-oh-puh-ner ]

noun

1. an experience or disclosure that gives one a sudden realization or understanding:

   Her disclosures about her childhood were a real eyeopener.

2. a drink of liquor taken early in the day and intended to wake a person up fully.

Word History and Origins

Origin of eyeopener¹

An Americanism dating back to 1810–20; eye + opener