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

But some would still become nearsighted, and treating the condition early can prevent major eye problems in the future.

From The Wall Street Journal • Dec. 28, 2025

Modern living may be contributing to an epidemic of nearsighted vision and related blindness.

From Science Daily • Dec. 4, 2023

As Walline explains, the younger a child is when they first become nearsighted, the worse it will end up as, due to the length of time that the eyeball spends growing longer than it should.

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

Old Minerva, nearsighted to squinting, lifted her nose at the smell.

From "The Marrow Thieves" by Cherie Dimaline