myopic
Americanadjective
-
Ophthalmology. pertaining to or having myopia; nearsighted.
-
unable or unwilling to act prudently; shortsighted.
-
lacking tolerance or understanding; narrow-minded.
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of myopic
Explanation
Myopic is an adjective meaning shortsighted in every sense. Whether you need glasses or a new attitude, if you can't see the forest for the trees, you're myopic. Myopic began as a description of the condition that made people squint and was easily cured with a pair of pink cat-eye glasses, but it came to include people or plans with a lack of foresight. Although it's good to live in the moment, it's not a compliment to be called myopic — a myopic party host might have festive decorations but no food for hungry guests, and myopic students have no interest in anything beyond what's on the test. In terms of pronunciation: it's a tomato/tomahto word: pronounce it "my-OP-ick" or "my-OH-pick," although that short o sound is preferred.
Vocabulary lists containing myopic
To Kill a Mockingbird
Looking to grow your vocabulary? Check out this interactive, curated word list from our team of English language specialists at Vocabulary.com – one of over 17,000 lists we've built to help learners worldwide!
Grade 9, List 6
Interested in learning more words like this one? Our team at Vocabulary.com has got you covered! You can review flashcards, quiz yourself, practice spelling, and more – and it's all completely free to use!
Unbroken
Want to remember this word for good? Start your learning journey today with our library of interactive, themed word lists built by the experts at Vocabulary.com – we'll help you make the most of your study time!
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.
The shelves at Myopic Books in Chicago's Wicker Park are packed with little, tattered paperback gems that have one-word titles like "Corn" or "Broccoli."
From Salon • Feb. 21, 2022
Myopic professors are no longer her chief target.
From The New Yorker • Aug. 9, 2018
Next stops: Myopic Books for underground comics, then Hot Doug's for a designer hot dog; then, check out who's playing at Hideout that night.
From Time Magazine Archive
Myopic, thought the defense, was the testimony of Mrs. Clarence Miller.
From Time Magazine Archive
Myopic eyes do not experience this difficulty and it appears that normal vision may be trained to overcome it.
From Visual Illusions Their Causes, Characteristics and Applications by Luckiesh, Matthew
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.
