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eye

Syllabification: (eye)
Pronunciation: /ī/

Translate eye | into French | into German | into Italian | into Spanish
Definition of eye

noun

  • 1each of a pair of globular organs in the head through which people and vertebrate animals see, the visible part typically appearing almond-shaped in animals with eyelids:my cat is blind in one eye closing her eyes, she tried to relax
  • the corresponding visual or light-detecting organ of many invertebrate animals.
  • the region of the face surrounding the eyes:her eyes were swollen with crying
  • a person’s eye as characterized by the color of the iris:he had piercing blue eyes
  • used to refer to someone’s power of vision and in descriptions of the manner or direction of someone’s gaze:his sharp eyes had missed nothing I couldn’t take my eyes off him
  • used to refer to someone’s opinion or attitude toward 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 center. 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.
  • the small hole in a needle through which the thread is passed.
  • a small metal loop into which a hook is fitted as a fastener on a garment. See also hook and eye.
  • Nautical a loop at the end of a rope, especially one at the top end of a shroud or stay.
  • a rounded eyelike 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.
  • a center cut of meat:eye of round
  • the center of a flower, especially when distinctively colored.
  • the calm region at the center of a storm or hurricane. See also the eye of the storm below.
  • (eyes) Nautical the extreme forward part of a ship:it was hanging in the eyes of the ship

verb (eyes, eyeing or eying, eyed)

[with object]
  • look at or watch closely or with interest:Rose eyed him warily

Phrases

all eyes

used to convey that a particular person or thing is currently the focus of public interest or attention:all eyes are on the hot spots of eastern Europe

be all eyes

be watching eagerly and attentively.

before (or under) one's (very) eyes

right in front of one (used for emphasis, especially in the context of something surprising or unpleasant):he saw his life’s work destroyed before his very eyes

close (or shut) one's eyes to

refuse to notice or acknowledge something unwelcome or 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 punishment in kind is the appropriate way to deal with an offense or crime.
[with biblical allusion to Exod. 21: 24]

the eye of the storm

the calm region at the center of a storm.
the most intense part of a tumultuous situation:he was in the eye of the storm of abstract art

the eye of the wind

(also the wind's eye) the direction from which the wind is blowing.

eyes front (or left or right)

a military command to turn the head in the particular direction stated.

a ——'s-eye view

a view from the position or standpoint of a ——:a satellite’s-eye view of global warmingSee also bird's-eye view, worm's-eye view.

give someone the eye

informal look at someone in a way that clearly indicates one’s sexual interest in them: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 judgments about:applicants should have an eye for detail

have (or keep) an (or one's) eye on

keep under careful observation:dealers are keeping an eye on the currency markets
(have one's eye on) hope or plan to acquire:the county sheriff has his eye on retirement

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; look (or be looking) ahead to: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, typically a financial one:a developer with an eye on the main chance

one's eyes are bigger than one's stomach

one has 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.

hit someone between the eyes (or in the eye)

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

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 Britishskinned)

be on the alert; watch carefully or vigilantly for something:visitors should keep their eyes peeled for lions

lay (or set or clap) eyes on

informal see:Harry has not laid eyes on Alice for twenty years

make eyes at someone

look at someone in a way that indicates one’s sexual interest.

my eye

informal dated used especially in spoken English to indicate surprise or disbelief.
[said to be originally nautical slang]

open someone's eyes

enlighten someone about certain realities; cause someone to realize or discover something:the letter finally opened my eyes to the truth

see eye to eye

have similar views or attitudes to something; be in full agreement:Mr. Trumble and I do not always see eye to eye

a twinkle (or gleam) in someone's eye

something that is as yet no more than an idea or dream:not every gleam in a grocer’s eye becomes a store

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

Pronunciation: /īd/

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 a second e, although eying is also correct.

eye in other Oxford dictionaries

Definition of eye in the British & World English dictionary

Nearby words

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