adjective
-
resembling glass, esp in smoothness, slipperiness, or transparency
-
void of expression, life, or warmth
a glassy stare
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
Inflected Forms
Nouns
Etymology
Origin of glassy
First recorded in 1350–1400, glassy is from the Middle English word glasy. See glass, -y 1
Explanation
If your eyes are glassy, they're lifeless, glazed and emotionless. A stuffed teddy bear has glassy eyes, and so does an overtired toddler. You might spend a glassy-eyed hour every morning before you've completely woken up and are ready to start your day. You can also describe shiny, glossy substances as glassy: "The glassy surface of the ice-covered sidewalk made her walk with tiny, careful steps." Glassy comes from the Old English glæs, "glass," and its Proto-Indo-European root ghel-, "to shine."
Vocabulary lists containing glassy
Neighborhood Odes
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Spelling Practice 1, Unit 5
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Scientists have identified Brazil's first known field of tektites, the glassy material created when an asteroid or other extraterrestrial object strikes Earth with extreme force.
From Science Daily • Mar. 1, 2026
Yes, the latest version of iOS gave the iPhone’s system a glassy overhaul.
From The Wall Street Journal • Dec. 21, 2025
Some sported a red, white and blue “Made in Michigan” sticker on their glassy faces.
From Salon • Dec. 2, 2025
"You never forget when you first meet Paddington," Tom says, echoing a sentiment almost everyone involved tells Newsbeat with a glassy look in their eyes.
From BBC • Nov. 1, 2025
Words, dimly familiar but twisted all awry, like faces in a funhouse mirror, fled past, leaving no impression on the glassy surface of my brain.
From "The Bell Jar" by Sylvia Plath
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
