nearsighted

American  

[neer-sahy-tid, -sahy-] / ˈnɪərˌsaɪ tɪd, -ˈsaɪ- /

adjective

1. seeing distinctly at a short distance only; myopic.

2. shortsighted.

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Other Word Forms

• nearsightedly
  adverb
• nearsightedness
  noun

Etymology

Origin of nearsighted

First recorded in 1680–90; near + sight + -ed ³

Compare meaning

How does nearsighted compare to similar and commonly confused words? Explore the most common comparisons:

• nearsighted vs. farsighted

Explanation

If you're nearsighted, you can't read distant signs or maybe even distinguish between different people from far away. Nearsighted people need to wear glasses, especially when they're driving. When someone is "farsighted," they see far-off objects well, but have trouble with close-up things like the print in a book or newspaper. In contrast, being nearsighted means you can read a magazine with no problem, but you need contacts or glasses in order to bring distant objects into focus. A more formal word for nearsighted is myopic.

Example Sentences

Studies have found that the more time kids spend outdoors, the less likely they are to become nearsighted.

From The Wall Street Journal • Dec. 28, 2025

If the eye grows too long, it becomes myopic or nearsighted.

From Science Daily • Dec. 4, 2023

“The biggest predictor of how nearsighted you’re going to be, is when you become nearsighted,” says Jeffrey Walline, an optometrist and associate dean of research at The Ohio State University.

From National Geographic • Nov. 1, 2023

He said, "You're extremely nearsighted and that means you are at more risk of having a detached retina, and if that happens, we want to catch it right away because it can affect your vision."

From Salon • May 4, 2023

We need, in effect, to be nearsighted and farsighted at the same time.

From "Founding Brothers: The Revolutionary Generation" by Joseph J. Ellis