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naked eye

Idioms

Sight unassisted by an instrument such as a microscope or telescope. For example, These insects are too small to be seen with the naked eye. This expression was first recorded in 1664.

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.

"They are extremely colorful and can be spotted on coral reef ecosystems. However, many nudibranchs are very small in size and are extremely difficult to spot underwater with the naked eye."

From Science Daily • May 27, 2026

To the naked eye, they may have looked similar.

From Salon • Apr. 17, 2026

Grimes said it was almost impossible to see a micrometeorite with the naked eye.

From BBC • Apr. 4, 2026

In other words, their DNA reveals differences that cannot be seen with the naked eye.

From Science Daily • Mar. 3, 2026

Scientists now know that even volcanoes that aren’t active to the naked eye have vents and pathways that may seethe under the surface.

From "Mountain of Fire" by Rebecca E. F. Barone

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.