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eye

Pronunciation: /ʌɪ/

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Definition of eye

noun

  • 1each of a pair of globular organs of sight in the head of humans and vertebrate animals:my cat is blind in one eye closing her eyes, she tried to relax
  • the visual or light-detecting organ of many invertebrate animals that corresponds to the eye of humans and vertebrate animals.
  • the region of the face surrounding the eyes:her eyes were swollen with crying
  • used to refer to someone’s power of vision and in descriptions of the direction of someone’s gaze:his sharp eyes had missed nothing
  • used to refer to someone’s opinion or attitude towards something:in the eyes of his younger colleagues, Mr Arnett was an eccentric to European eyes, it may seem that the city is overcrowded

    • The basic components of the vertebrate eye are a transparent cornea, an adjustable iris, a lens for focusing, a sensitive retina lining the back of the eye, and a clear fluid- or jelly-filled centre. The most primitive animals only have one or two eyespots, while many other invertebrates have several simple eyes or a pair of compound eyes

  • 2a thing resembling an eye in appearance, shape, or relative position, in particular:
  • a rounded eye-like marking on an animal, such as those on the tail of a peacock; an eyespot.
  • a round, dark spot on a potato from which a new shoot can grow: withered potatoes sprouting at the eyes
  • the centre of a flower, especially when distinctively coloured: delicate flowers of light blue colour, with white or yellow eyes
  • (also eye of the storm or eye of the hurricane) the calm region at the centre of a storm or hurricane: the smaller the eye, the more intense the winds
  • (eyes) Nautical the extreme forward part of a ship: it was hanging in the eyes of the ship
  • 3the small hole in a needle through which the thread is passed: strands of glass tiny enough to pass through the eye of a needle
  • a small metal loop into which a hook is fitted as a fastener on a garment.
  • Nautical a loop at the end of a rope, especially one at the top end of a shroud or stay.
  • 4South African the source of a spring or river.

verb (eyes, eyeing or eying, eyed)

[with object]
  • look at closely or with interest:Rose eyed him warily
  • (eye someone up) informal look at someone in a way that reveals a particular, especially sexual, interest:Margot saw the women eyeing up her boyfriend

Phrases

all eyes are on ——

used to convey that a particular person or thing is currently the focus of public interest:over the next few weeks all eyes will be on the pound

be all eyes

be watching eagerly and attentively.

before (or in front of or under) one's (very) eyes

right in front of one (used for emphasis):he saw his life’s work destroyed before his very eyes

cannot take one's eyes off

be unable to stop looking at someone or something because they are so interesting, attractive, etc.:I’m telling you, I couldn’t take my eyes off of him

clap (or lay or set) eyes on

informal see:I’d never clapped eyes on the guy before

close (or shut) one's eyes to

refuse to acknowledge (something unpleasant):he couldn’t close his eyes to the truth—he had cancer

an eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth

used to refer to the belief that retaliation in kind is the appropriate way to deal with an offence or crime: other people took his wife, he took the wives of others—it was an eye for an eye
[with biblical allusion to Exod. 21: 24]

the eye of the wind

the direction from which the wind is blowing: he swung the boat into the eye of the wind a heading of up to 75° from the wind’s eye

eyes front (or left or right)

a military command to turn the head in the direction stated: ‘Eyes front!’ he screamed at the men before him

eyes out on stalks

used to emphasize the extreme degree of someone’s eager curiosity: when I read about his arrest my eyes popped out on stalks

a ——'s-eye view

a view from the position or standpoint of a ——:seeing a story from a child’s-eye viewSee also bird's-eye view, worm's-eye view.

get (or keep) one's eye in

British become (or remain) able to make good judgements about a task or activity in which one is engaged:I’ve got my eye in now; I’m landing them just where I want them

give someone the eye

informal look at someone with clear sexual interest: this blonde was giving me the eye

half an eye

used in reference to a slight degree of perception or attention:he kept half an eye on the house as he worked

have an eye for

be able to recognize, appreciate, and make good judgements about:applicants should have an eye for detail

have (or keep) one's eye on

keep under careful observation: I’ve got my eye on you—any nonsense and you’re for it!
(have one's eye on) hope or plan to acquire:there was a vacant bishopric which the Dean had his eye on

have (or with) an eye to

have (or having) as one’s objective:with an eye to transatlantic business, he made a deal in New York
consider (or be considering) prudently:the charity must have an eye to the future

have (or with) an eye to (or for or on) the main chance

look or be looking for an opportunity to take advantage of a situation for personal gain:a developer with an eye on the main chance

have eyes bigger than one's stomach (or belly)

have asked for or taken more food than one can actually eat.

(only) have eyes for

be (exclusively) interested in or attracted to:he has eyes for no one but you

have eyes in the back of one's head

know what is going on around one even when one cannot see it: you need to have eyes in the back of your head to cope with a two-year-old

hit someone in the eye (or between the eyes)

informal be very obvious or impressive:he wouldn’t notice talent if it hit him right between the eyes

keep an eye on

keep under careful observation: dealers are keeping an eye on the currency markets

keep an eye out (or open)

look out for something with particular attention: keep an eye out for his car

keep one's eyes open (or peeled or British skinned)

be on the alert; watch carefully or vigilantly for something: keep your eyes peeled for a phonebox

make eyes at someone

look at someone with clear sexual interest: Doyle was making eyes at the girl, who was extremely pretty

more to someone/thing than meets the eye

see meet1.

my eye (or all my eye and Betty Martin)

British informal dated used to indicate surprise or disbelief.
[said to be originally nautical slang]

one in the eye for

a disappointment or setback for (someone or something):this success for Manchester is one in the eye for London

open someone's eyes

cause someone to realize or discover something:the letter finally opened my eyes to the truth

pull the wool over someone's eyes

see wool.

see eye to eye

be in full agreement:the boss and I do not always see eye to eye

turn a blind eye

see blind.

a twinkle (or gleam) in someone's eye

something that is as yet no more than an idea or dream:the scheme is only a gleam in the developer’s eye

up to the (or one's) eyes (in)

informal
extremely busy: I’m up to my eyes this morning
used to emphasize the extreme degree of an unpleasant situation:the council is up to its eyes in debt

what the eye doesn't see, the heart doesn't grieve over

proverb if you’re unaware of an unpleasant fact or situation you can’t be troubled by it.

with one's eyes open

(or with open eyes)
fully aware of the possible difficulties or consequences:I went into this job with my eyes open

with one's eyes shut (or closed)

  • 1without having to make much effort; easily: I could do it with my eyes shut
  • 2without considering the possible difficulties or consequences:she didn’t go to Hollywood with her eyes closed

with one eye on

giving some but not all one’s attention to:I sat with one eye on the clock, waiting for my turn

Derivatives

eyed

adjective
[in combination]:a brown-eyed girl

eyeless

adjective

Origin:

Old English ēage, of Germanic origin; related to Dutch oog and German Auge

Spelling help

Eyeing is usually spelled with an e, although eying is also correct.

eye in other Oxford dictionaries

Definition of eye in the US English dictionary

Nearby words

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