eye
He opened his eyes.
One of the two organs in your face, which you use to see with
He opened his eyes.
Oxford Essential Dictionary
eye
noun
one of the two parts in your head that you see with:
She's got blue eyes.
Open your eyes!
catch somebody's eye
1 to make somebody look at you:
Try to catch the waiter's eye the next time he comes this way.
2 If something catches your eye, you see it suddenly:
Her bright yellow hat caught my eye.
in somebody's eyes in the opinion of somebody:
Richard is 42, but in his mother's eyes, he's still a little boy!
keep an eye on somebody or something to look after or watch somebody or something:
Will you keep an eye on my bag while I go to the toilet?
see eye to eye with somebody to agree with somebody:
Mr Harper doesn't always see eye to eye with his neighbours.
Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English
eye
I. eye1 S1 W1 /aɪ/ BrE AmE noun
[Language: Old English; Origin: eage]
1. FOR SEEING WITH [countable] one of the two parts of the body that you use to see with:
He’s got beautiful eyes.
There were tears in her eyes as she listened to the story.
Ow! I’ve got something in my eye!
blue-eyed/one-eyed/bright-eyed etc
a brown-eyed girl ⇨ ↑wide-eyed
2. WAY OF SEEING/UNDERSTANDING [countable usually singular] a particular way of seeing, judging, or understanding something:
Go through your shopping list with a critical eye for foods with a high fat content.
with the eye of somebody
The magazine combines the accuracy of the scientist with the eye of the artist.
to sb’s eye(s)
The picture quality, to my eye, is excellent.
through the eyes of somebody (=from the point of view of a particular person)
The story is told through the eyes of a refugee child.
in the eyes of somebody (=according to a particular person or group)
Carl could do no wrong in the eyes of his parents.
3. keep an eye on something/somebody to look after someone or something and make sure that they are safe:
Mary will keep an eye on the kids this afternoon.
We keep a watchful eye on our elderly neighbors.
4. have/keep your eye on somebody to carefully watch everything that someone does, especially because you do not trust them:
We want Taylor in jail where we can keep an eye on him.
5. eye contact when you look directly at someone at the same time as they are looking at you:
People who are lying tend to avoid eye contact.
In a formal interview, try to maintain good eye contact with the interviewers.
6. keep/have one eye/half an eye on somebody/something to be watching someone or something at the same time that you are doing something else:
Louise was stirring the soup with half an eye on the baby.
7. have your eye on something to want something that you think might become available:
He has his eye on the bigger apartment next door.
8. the naked eye if you can see something with the naked eye, you can see it without using any artificial help such as a ↑telescope or ↑microscope
with the naked eye
It’s just about possible to see the planet with the naked eye on a clear night.
visible/invisible to the naked eye
Dust mites are tiny creatures, invisible to the naked eye.
9. before your very eyes (also (right) in front of your eyes) especially spoken if something happens before your very eyes, it happens where you can clearly see it:
The murder had apparently taken place before our very eyes.
10. can’t take your eyes off somebody/something to be unable to stop looking at someone or something, especially because they are extremely interesting or attractive:
She looked stunning. I couldn’t take my eyes off her all evening.
11. under the (watchful/stern etc) eye of somebody while being watched by someone who is making sure that you behave properly or do something right:
We went to dances, but only under the watchful eye of our father.
12. run/cast your eye over something to look at something quickly:
She cast her eye over the front page of the paper.
13. set/lay/clap eyes on somebody/something spoken to see something or meet someone, especially for the first time:
I loved that house from the moment I clapped eyes on it.
14. keep an eye open/out (for somebody/something) to watch carefully so that you will notice when someone or something appears:
Keep an eye out for rabbits in the field.
15. with an eye to (doing) something if you do something with an eye to doing something else, you do it in order to make the second thing more likely to happen:
Most novels are published with an eye to commercial success.
16. close/shut your eyes to something to ignore something or pretend that you do not know it is happening:
Most governments know that we’re heading for an environmental catastrophe but they shut their eyes to it.
17. have an eye/a good eye for something to be good at noticing a particular type of thing, especially something attractive, valuable, of good quality etc:
Ernest has an eye for detail.
She’s definitely got a good eye for a bargain.
18. keep your eyes peeled/skinned spoken to watch carefully and continuously for something
keep your eyes peeled/skinned for
She stumbled along, keeping her eyes peeled for a phone box.
19. with your eyes open knowing fully what the problems, difficulties, results etc of a situation might be:
I’ve no-one to blame but myself – I went into this deal with my eyes open.
20. can do something with your eyes shut/closed to be able to do something very easily:
Believe me, you could run that place with your eyes closed.
21. make eyes at somebody/give somebody the eye informal to look at someone in a way that shows you think they are sexually attractive:
Don’t look now, but that guy over there is really giving you the eye.
22. an eye for/on/to the main chance if you have an eye for the main chance, you will take advantage of any possible opportunity to get what you want – used to show disapproval
23. one in the eye for somebody British English spoken something that will annoy someone or give them a disadvantage – used especially when you think this is a good thing:
This latest judgement will definitely be one in the eye for the fast food corporations.
24. an eye for an eye the idea that if someone does something wrong, you should punish them by doing the same thing to them:
An eye for an eye is no way to run a civilised justice system.
25. for sb’s eyes only used to say that something is secret and must only be seen by one particular person or group:
The information is for police eyes only.
26. have eyes in the back of your head to know what is happening all around you, even when this seems impossible:
We’ll have to be really careful – old Jonesey has eyes in the back of his head.
27. get/keep your eye in British English informal to practise or to continue practising an activity so that you become good at it
28. have eyes like a hawk to notice every small detail or everything that is happening, and therefore be very difficult to deceive:
We never got away with anything in Mrs. Podell’s class – she had eyes like a hawk.
29. his/her etc eyes were popping (out of his/her etc head) British English especially spoken to be very surprised, shocked, or excited by something you see
30. be up to your eyes in something British English informal to be very busy doing something:
He’s up to his eyes in paperwork.
31. have eyes bigger than your belly spoken used to say that you have taken more food than you are able to eat
32. only have eyes for somebody if someone only has eyes for someone, they love and are interested in that person only
33. my eye! old-fashioned spoken used to say that you do not believe something
34. all eyes are on/watching/fixed on etc
a) used to say that everyone is looking at someone or something:
All eyes were on the speaker, and nobody noticed me slip into the hall.
b) used to say that a lot of people are paying attention to a particular person or situation:
For the time being, all eyes are on the White House.
35. in a pig’s eye! American English spoken used to show that you do not believe what someone is saying
36. CAMERA [singular] the eye of the camera is the way that you appear in photographs:
Fashion models are completely comfortable with the eye of the camera.
37. NEEDLE [countable] the hole in a needle that you put the thread through
38. FOR FASTENING CLOTHES [countable] a small circle or U-shaped piece of metal used together with a hook for fastening clothes
39. STORM [singular] the calm centre of a storm such as a ↑hurricane
40. POTATO [countable] a dark spot on a potato that a new plant can grow from
⇨ BIRD’S-EYE VIEW, ↑black eye, ↑Catseye, ↑private eye, ↑red eye, ⇨ the apple of sb’s eye at ↑apple(2), ⇨ not bat an eye at ↑bat2(2), ⇨ turn a blind eye (to something) at ↑blind1(3), ⇨ see something out of the corner of your eye at ↑corner1(8), ⇨ the evil eye at ↑evil1(5), ⇨ give somebody the glad eye at ↑glad(6), ⇨ look somebody in the eye/face at ↑look1(7), ⇨ in your mind’s eye at ↑mind1(40), ⇨ here’s mud in your eye at ↑mud, ⇨ open sb’s eyes (to) at ↑open2(17), ⇨ in the public eye at ↑public1(4), ⇨ make sheep’s eyes at at ↑sheep(4), ⇨ a sight for sore eyes at ↑sight1(14), ⇨ in the twinkling of an eye at ↑twinkling, ⇨ keep a weather eye on at ↑weather1(5), ⇨ pull the wool over sb’s eyes at ↑wool(4)
• • •
COLLOCATIONS
■ colour
▪ brown/blue/grey/green Both their children have blue eyes.
▪ dark brown/pale brown His eyes are dark brown.
▪ deep blue/pale blue She looked into his deep blue eyes. | The tiny child 's pale blue eyes stared up at her appealingly.
▪ hazel (=pale brown and slightly green or golden) He was a quiet, kindly man, with hazel eyes.
▪ sleepy/tired (also weary literary) He rubbed his tired eyes and yawned.
▪ moist/watery/tearful (=full of tears) Bethan’s eyes grew moist as she talked about her family.
▪ sad He gazed at her with sad eyes as she slowly walked away.
▪ cold/cruel (=unfriendly or unkind) He smiled, but his blue eyes were cold and cruel.
■ shape/position
▪ big She looked at me with those big brown eyes.
▪ small His small cold eyes seemed full of menace.
▪ round/wide The children gazed at the screen, their eyes wide with excitement.
▪ narrow He has a thin face and narrow eyes.
▪ bulging (=round and sticking far out) His bulging eyes made him rather look like a frog.
▪ beady eyes (=small round and bright, and noticing a lot of things) His beady eyes darted around the room.
▪ deep-set (=far back in someone's face) Mac’s eyebrows were thick and dark, above deep-set eyes.
▪ close-set (=close together) He had a small nose and close-set eyes.
▪ wide-set (=wide apart) Claudette studied the wide-set eyes that looked so innocent.
▪ sunken (=having fallen inwards, especially because of age or illness) The man's eyes were sunken, with deep black rings around them.
■ showing your feelings/character
▪ sleepy/tired His eyes looked sleepy. | Her hair was a mess and her eyes were tired.
▪ sad Her beautiful eyes suddenly looked sad.
▪ tearful/moist/misty (=feeling that you want to cry) As she left a village, people waved at her with tearful eyes.
▪ bright (=happy or excited) the bright eyes of the children
▪ cold (=unfriendly and not showing any emotion) Her eyes were cold and uncaring.
▪ red/bloodshot (=red because you are upset, tired, ill etc) My mother's eyes were red from crying.
▪ puffy (=swollen because you are ill or upset) The girl's eyes were puffy and full of tears.
▪ soulful eyes (=showing strong emotions, especially sadness) The dog looked up at her with big soulful eyes.
▪ wild/mad eyes (=very angry, afraid etc) He stared at them with wild eyes.
▪ hungry/greedy eyes (=showing that you want something very much ) The men looked around the room with their greedy eyes.
■ verbs
▪ open your eyes I slowly opened my eyes.
▪ sb’s eyes open Suddenly his eyes opened.
▪ close/shut your eyes Joe closed his eyes and tried to get back to sleep.
▪ sb’s eyes close She let her eyes close for just a moment.
▪ rub your eyes Anna rubbed her eyes wearily.
▪ shade/shield your eyes (=protect them from a bright light or the sun) They gazed out to sea, shielding their eyes from the sun.
▪ narrow your eyes (=partly close them, especially to show that you do not trust someone) She narrowed her eyes at him suspiciously.
▪ sb’s eyes narrow (=become half closed, especially because someone does not trust another person) Her dark eyes narrowed for a moment.
▪ sb’s eyes widen (=become more open because they are surprised) His eyes widened in shock.
▪ sb’s eyes sparkle/shine (=show that they are very happy) Jenny’s eyes sparkled with excitement.
▪ somebody's eyes light up (=become excited) His eyes lit up when I mentioned the word money.
▪ drop/lower your eyes (=look down at the ground) The servants lowered their eyes as the countess walked past.
▪ avert your eyes literary (=look away from something) He averted his eyes from the body.
■ phrases
▪ keep your eyes open (=prevent them from closing) I was so tired I could hardly keep my eyes open.
▪ have/keep etc your eyes glued to something (=be watching something with all your attention) Ted sat with his eyes glued to the television.
▪ sb’s eyes are full of tears When she put the phone down, her eyes were full of tears.
▪ sb’s eyes are full of hatred/fear etc The prisoners stared at him, their eyes full of hatred.
■ eye + NOUN
▪ an eye test (also an eye exam American English) (=to find out how well you can see) You should have an eye test every couple of years.
▪ eye make-up (=make-up that you put on your eyelids or eyelashes) She never leaves the house without lipstick and eye make-up.
■ COMMON ERRORS
► Do not say 'black eyes' when you mean dark brown eyes. You normally use 'black eye' when someone has a bruise around their eye, after being hit by someone.
II. eye2 BrE AmE verb (present participle eyeing or eying) [transitive]
to look at someone or something carefully, especially because you do not trust them or because you want something:
The man behind the desk eyed us suspiciously.
A crowd of local children gathered around, eying us in silence.
eye somebody ↔ up phrasal verb
informal to look at someone in a way that shows you think they are sexually attractive:
There was a group of lads at the bar, eyeing up every girl who walked in.
Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary
eye
eye [eye eyes eyed eyeing eying] noun, verb [aɪ] [aɪ]
noun
PART OF BODY
1. countable either of the two organs on the face that you see with
• The suspect has dark hair and green eyes.
• to close/open your eyes
• to drop/lower your eyes (= to look down)
• There were tears in his eyes.
• I have something in my eye.
• His eyes narrowed suspiciously.
• Her eyes widened in horror.
• to make/avoid eye contact with sb (= to look/avoid looking at them at the same time as they look at you)
• All eyes were on him (= everyone was looking at him) as he walked on to the stage.
see also black eye, compound eye, lazy eye, shut-eye
2. -eyed (in adjectives) having the type or number of eyes mentioned
• a blue-eyed blonde
• a one-eyed monster
ABILITY TO SEE
3. singular the ability to see
• A surgeon needs a good eye and a steady hand.
see also eagle eye
WAY OF SEEING
4. countable, usually singular a particular way of seeing sth
• He looked at the design with the eye of an engineer.
• She viewed the findings with a critical eye.
• To my eye, the windows seem out of proportion.
OF NEEDLE
5. countable the hole in the end of a needle that you put the thread through
ON CLOTHES
6. countable a small thin piece of metal curved round, that a small hook fits into, used for fastening clothes
• It fastens with a hook and eye.
OF STORM
7. singular a/the ~ of a/the storm, tornado, hurricane, etc. a calm area at the centre of a storm, etc.
ON POTATO
8. countable a dark mark on a potato from which another plant will grow
see also bullseye, Catseye, evil eye, fisheye lens, red-eye
more at the apple of sb's eye at apple, bat your eyes/eyelashesnot bat an eyelid/eye at bat v., beauty is in the eye of the beholder at beauty, not believe your ears/eyes at believe, a bird's-eye view (of sth) at bird, turn a blind eye at blind adj., in the blink of an eye at blink n., blue-eyed boy at blue adj., catch sb's eye at catch v., keep a close eye/watch on sb/sth at close2 adj., cock an ear/eye at sth/sb at cock v., see sth out of the corner of your eye at corner n., not a dry eye in the house at dry n., easy on the ear/eye at easy adj., as far as the eye can/could see at far adv., feast your eyes at feast v., hit sb (straight/right) in the eye at hit v., meet sb's eyethere is more in/to sb/sth than meets the eye at meet v., your mind's eye at mind n., the naked eye at naked, keep your ears/eyes open (for sth) at open adj., open your/sb's eyes (to sth) at open v., please the eye at please v., in the public eye at public adj., pull the wool over sb's eyes at pull v., have a roving eye at roving, a sight for sore eyes at sight n., in the twinkling of an eye at twinkling, keep a weather eye on sth at weather n.
Word Origin:
Old English ēage, of Germanic origin; related to Dutch oog and German Auge.
Collocations:
Physical appearance
A person may be described as having:
Eyes
(bright) blue/green/(dark/light) brown/hazel eyes
deep-set/sunken/bulging/protruding eyes
small/beady/sparkling/twinkling/(informal) shifty eyes
piercing/penetrating/steely eyes
bloodshot/watery/puffy eyes
bushy/thick/dark/raised/arched eyebrows
long/dark/thick/curly/false eyelashes/lashes
Face
a flat/bulbous/pointed/sharp/snub nose
a straight/a hooked/a Roman/(formal) an aquiline nose
full/thick/thin/pouty lips
dry/chapped/cracked lips
flushed/rosy/red/ruddy/pale cheeks
soft/chubby/sunken cheeks
white/perfect/crooked/protruding teeth
a large/high/broad/wide/sloping forehead
a strong/weak/pointed/double chin
a long/full/bushy/wispy/goatee beard
a long/thin/bushy/droopy/handlebar/pencil moustache/ (especially US) mustache
Hair and skin
pale/fair/olive/dark/tanned skin
dry/oily/smooth/rough/leathery/wrinkled skin
a dark/pale/light/sallow/ruddy/olive/swarthy/clear complexion
deep/fine/little/facial wrinkles
blonde/blond/fair/(light/dark) brown/(jet-)black/auburn/red/(BrE) ginger/grey hair
straight/curly/wavy/frizzy/spiky hair
thick/thin/fine/bushy/thinning hair
dyed/bleached/soft/silky/dry/greasy/shiny hair
long/short/shoulder-length/cropped hair
a bald/balding/shaved head
a receding hairline
a bald patch/spot
a side/centre/(US) center (BrE) parting/ (NAmE) part
Body
a long/short/thick/slender/(disapproving) scrawny neck
broad/narrow/sloping/rounded/hunched shoulders
a bare/broad/muscular/small/large chest
a flat/swollen/bulging stomach
a small/tiny/narrow/slim/slender/28-inch waist
big/wide/narrow/slim hips
a straight/bent/arched/broad/hairy back
thin/slender/muscular arms
big/large/small/manicured/calloused/gloved hands
long/short/fat/slender/delicate/bony fingers
long/muscular/hairy/shapely/(both informal, often disapproving) skinny/spindly legs
muscular/chubby/(informal, disapproving) flabby thighs
big/little/small/dainty/wide/narrow/bare feet
a good/a slim/a slender/an hourglass figure
be of slim/medium/average/large/athletic/stocky build
Example Bank:
• A movement in the reeds caught my eye.
• As my eyes accustomed to the darkness, I could make out a shape by the window.
• Before our very eyes, the bird snatched the fish from the plate and flew off.
• Could you keep an eye on my bag for a moment?
• Could you keep an eye on my bag while I go to the toilet?
• From the moment he set eyes on her he knew that he wanted to marry her.
• He couldn't keep his eyes off the girl sitting opposite him.
• He drew the curtains to make sure no prying eyes saw what he was doing.
• He held up the newspaper to shield his eyes from the sun.
• He let his eyes roam around the scene.
• He looked at me with a twinkle in his eye.
• He pictured the scene in his mind's eye.
• He saw his students with new eyes now that he had a child of his own.
• He screwed up his eyes against the glare of the sun.
• He seemed unwilling to meet my eye.
• He turned his eyes to the door when he heard the handle turning.
• Her bleary eyes showed that she hadn't slept.
• Her eye caught mine.
• Her eyes danced with amusement.
• Her eyes dilated with horror at what she had done.
• Her eyes dropped to her lap as she answered.
• Her eyes flew open in surprise.
• Her eyes glazed over when I said I worked in dictionaries.
• Her eyes prickled with unshed tears.
• Her eyes squinted against the brightness.
• Her eyes told me nothing.
• Her skill at working with wood is coupled to a keen eye for design.
• His eyes blazed with menace.
• His eyes bulged in fury.
• His eyes crinkled up at the corners as he smiled.
• His eyes darted from face to face.
• His eyes drifted over to Helen's chair.
• His eyes hardened as he remembered how they had laughed at him.
• His eyes held a mischievous gleam.
• His eyes never left mine.
• His eyes reflected his anguish.
• His eyes rounded in mock amazement.
• His eyes scanned the room as he entered.
• His eyes were drawn to a bundle of papers in the corner.
• His eyes were wide with horror.
• His narrow eyes betrayed his impatience.
• I cast my eyes around the room but couldn't see any familiar faces.
• I didn't want to strain my eyes to read, so I put the light on.
• I knew he was lying because he wouldn't make eye contact with me.
• I walked around the store, keeping an eye out for bargains.
• I want you under my eye.
• If I hadn't seen his jump with my own eyes, I would never have believed it possible.
• In the eyes of the law his knife was an offensive weapon.
• It fastens with a hook and eye.
• It is essential to wear some form of eye protection.
• My eyes followed his every move.
• My eyes strained to make anything out in the darkness.
• My eyes stream when I chop onions.
• My eyes took in every detail as I entered the house for the first time in twenty years.
• Out of the corner of her eye, she saw Harry start forward.
• Rapid eye movements frequently accompany dreaming.
• She averted her eyes from his face.
• She can do no wrong in his eyes.
• She could feel the old lady's eyes bore into her.
• She just looked at me with those big blue eyes of hers.
• She laughed, her eyes alight with excitement.
• She looked her father straight in the eye and answered his question truthfully.
• She reached up and tried to gouge her attacker's eyes.
• She responded softly, her eyes showing concern.
• She rolled her eyes heavenward when she saw what her husband was wearing.
• She rolled her eyes in disgust.
• She tried the door, her eyes rolling in panic.
• She tried to sit up, her eyes fixed on Jean's face.
• Skiers wear goggles to protect their eyes from the sun.
• The children's eagle eyes spotted an ice-cream seller half a mile away.
• The doctor gave me eye drops to put in three times a day.
• The dog's hungry eyes were on my sandwich.
• The government is keeping a close eye on the economy.
• The planet should be visible to the naked eye.
• The series has plenty of eye candy.
• The store detective had his eye on a group of boys who were acting suspiciously.
• The sun was in my eyes and I couldn't see the road.
• The team went through their paces under their trainer's critical eye.
• The tide was out, leaving nothing but mud as far as the eye could see.
• Their eyes locked together in a battle of wills.
• There were tears in his eyes as he spoke.
• Tina squeezed her eyes shut and bit her lip.
• To an expert eye, the painting is an obvious fake.
• To my eye, the windows seem out of proportion.
• Tom fell in love the moment he laid eyes on her.
• You need to look at your website through the user's eyes.
• Your computer screen should be at eye level so that you can work with your neck straight.
Idioms: all eyes ▪ eye for an eye ▪ for somebody's eyes only ▪ get your eye in ▪ give somebody the eye ▪ have an eye for something ▪ have eyes in the back of your head ▪ have eyes like a hawk ▪ have one eye an eye on something ▪ have your eye on somebody ▪ have your eye on something ▪ in front of somebody's eyes ▪ in somebody's eyes ▪ in the eyes of the law/world ▪ keep an eye on somebody ▪ keep an eye out ▪ keep your eye on the ball ▪ keep your eyes peeled ▪ lay eyes on somebody ▪ look somebody in the eye ▪ make eyes at somebody ▪ my eye! ▪ not see eye to eye with somebody ▪ not take your eyes off somebody ▪ one in the eye ▪ only have eyes for eyes only for somebody ▪ run an eye eyes over something ▪ see/look at something through somebody's eyes ▪ shut your eyes to something ▪ somebody's eyes are bigger than their stomach ▪ take your eye off the ball ▪ under the eye of somebody ▪ up to your eyes in something ▪ what the eye doesn't see ▪ with an eye on the main chance ▪ with an eye to to doing something ▪ with your eyes open ▪ with your eyes shut
Derived: eye somebody up
Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary
Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary - 4th Edition
eye / aɪ / noun [ C ] (BODY PART)
eye
A1 one of the two organs in your face, which you use to see with:
He has no sight in his left eye.
She's got beautiful green eyes.
He closed his eyes and went to sleep.
See picture head
eye / aɪ / noun [ C ] (PLANT)
a dark spot on a potato or similar plant part, from which a new stem and leaves will grow
eye / aɪ / noun [ C ] (HOLE)
the hole in a needle through which you put the thread
© Cambridge University Press 2013
Collins COBUILD Advanced Learner’s English Dictionary
eye
/aɪ/
(eyes, eyeing, or eying, eyed)
Frequency: The word is one of the 700 most common words in English.
1.
Your eyes are the parts of your body with which you see.
I opened my eyes and looked...
Maria’s eyes filled with tears.
...a tall, thin white-haired lady with piercing dark brown eyes...
He is now blind in one eye.
N-COUNT: oft poss N in pl
2.
If you eye someone or something in a particular way, you look at them carefully in that way.
Sally eyed Claire with interest...
Martin eyed the bottle at Marianne’s elbow.
VERB: V n prep/adv, V n
3.
You use eye when you are talking about a person’s ability to judge things or about the way in which they are considering or dealing with things.
William was a man of discernment, with an eye for quality...
Their chief negotiator turned his critical eye on the United States...
He first learnt to fish under the watchful eye of his grandmother.
N-COUNT: usu sing, with supp, oft a N for n
4.
An eye on a potato is one of the dark spots from which new stems grow.
N-COUNT
5.
An eye is a small metal loop which a hook fits into, as a fastening on a piece of clothing.
N-COUNT
6.
The eye of a needle is the small hole at one end which the thread passes through.
N-COUNT
7.
The eye of a storm, tornado, or hurricane is the centre of it.
The eye of the hurricane hit Florida just south of Miami.
N-SING: the N of n
8.
see also black eye, private eye, shut-eye
9.
If you say that something happens before your eyes, in front of your eyes, or under your eyes, you are emphasizing that it happens where you can see it clearly and often implying that it is surprising or unpleasant.
A lot of them died in front of our eyes...
PHRASE: usu PHR after v, v-link PHR [emphasis]
10.
If you cast your eye or run your eye over something, you look at it or read it quickly.
I would be grateful if he could cast an expert eye over it and tell me what he thought of it...
PHRASE: V inflects, PHR prep
11.
If something catches your eye, you suddenly notice it.
As she turned back, a movement across the lawn caught her eye.
PHRASE: V inflects
see also eye-catching
12.
If you catch someone’s eye, you do something to attract their attention, so that you can speak to them.
I tried to catch Chrissie’s eye to find out what she was playing at.
PHRASE: V inflects
13.
To clap eyes on someone or something, or set or lay eyes on them, means to see them. (INFORMAL)
That’s probably the most bare and bleak island I’ve ever had the misfortune to clap eyes on...
What was he doing when you last set eyes on him?
PHRASE: V inflects, oft after superl, oft with brd-neg
14.
If you make eye contact with someone, you look at them at the same time as they look at you, so that you are both aware that you are looking at each other. If you avoid eye contact with someone, you deliberately do not look straight at them because you feel awkward or embarrassed.
She was looking at me across the room, and we made eye contact several times...
I spent a fruitless ten minutes walking up and down the high street, desperately avoiding eye contact with passers-by.
PHRASE: PHR after v
15.
If you close your eyes to something bad or if you shut your eyes to it, you ignore it.
Most governments must simply be shutting their eyes to the problem.
PHRASE: V inflects, PHR n
16.
If you cry your eyes out, you cry very hard. (INFORMAL)
PHRASE: V inflects
17.
If there is something as far as the eye can see, there is a lot of it and you cannot see anything else beyond it.
There are pine trees as far as the eye can see.
PHRASE
18.
If you say that someone has an eye for something, you mean that they are good at noticing it or making judgments about it.
Susan has a keen eye for detail, so each dress is beautifully finished off.
PHRASE: V inflects
19.
You use expressions such as in his eyes or to her eyes to indicate that you are reporting someone’s opinion and that other people might think differently.
The other serious problem in the eyes of the new government is communalism...
Richard Dorrington was, in their eyes, a very sensible and reliable man...
PHRASE: PHR with cl-group
20.
If you keep your eyes open or keep an eye out for someone or something, you watch for them carefully. (INFORMAL)
I ask the mounted patrol to keep their eyes open...
You and your friends keep an eye out–if there’s any trouble we’ll make a break for it.
PHRASE: V inflects, oft PHR for n
21.
If you keep an eye on something or someone, you watch them carefully, for example to make sure that they are satisfactory or safe, or not causing trouble.
I’m sure you will appreciate that we must keep a careful eye on all our running costs...
I went for a run there, keeping an eye on the children the whole time...
PHRASE: V inflects, PHR n
22.
You say ‘there’s more to this than meets the eye’ when you think a situation is not as simple as it seems to be.
This whole business is very puzzling. There is a lot more to it than meets the eye.
PHRASE
23.
If something, especially something surprising or impressive, meets your eyes, you see it.
The first sight that met my eyes on reaching the front door was the church enveloped in flames.
PHRASE: V inflects
24.
If you say that all eyes are on something or that the eyes of the world are on something, you mean that everyone is paying careful attention to it and what will happen. (JOURNALISM)
All eyes will be on tomorrow’s vote...
The eyes of the world were now on the police.
PHRASE: V inflects, PHR n
25.
If someone has their eye on you, they are watching you carefully to see what you do.
As the boat plodded into British waters and up the English Channel, Customs had their eye on her.
PHRASE: V inflects, PHR n
26.
If you have your eye on something, you want to have it. (INFORMAL)
...if you’re saving up for a new outfit you’ve had your eye on.
PHRASE: V inflects, PHR n
27.
If you say that you did something with your eyes open or with your eyes wide open, you mean that you knew about the problems and difficulties that you were likely to have.
We want all our members to undertake this trip responsibly, with their eyes open.
PHRASE: PHR after v
28.
If something opens your eyes, it makes you aware that something is different from the way that you thought it was.
Watching your child explore the world about her can open your eyes to delights long forgotten.
PHRASE: V inflects, oft PHR to n
29.
If you see eye to eye with someone, you agree with them and have the same opinions and views.
Yuriko saw eye to eye with Yul on almost every aspect of the production...
PHRASE: V inflects, PHR with n, pl-n PHR
30.
When you take your eyes off the thing you have been watching or looking at, you stop looking at it.
She took her eyes off the road to glance at me...
PHRASE: V inflects, PHR n
31.
If someone sees or considers something through your eyes, they consider it in the way that you do, from your point of view.
She tried to see things through his eyes...
PHRASE: PHR after v
32.
If you say that you are up to your eyes in something, you are emphasizing that you have a lot of it to deal with, and often that you are very busy. (INFORMAL)
I am up to my eyes in work...
PHRASE: v-link PHR, usu PHR in n [emphasis]
33.
the apple of your eye: see apple
to turn a blind eye: see blind
to feast your eyes: see feast
in your mind’s eye: see mind
the naked eye: see naked
to pull the wool over someone’s eyes: see wool
Merriam-Webster's Advanced Learner's Dictionary
1eye /ˈaɪ/ noun, pl eyes
1 [count] : the part of the body that you see with
• Her eyes slowly became accustomed to the dark.
• He wears a patch over one eye.
• I have something in my eye.
• He has (a pair of) bright blue eyes.
• bright/sad/sleepy eyes
• She has good/strong/bad/weak eyes. [=eyesight]
• Her eyes lit up [=she looked excited and happy] when he showed her the ring.
• His eyes were popping out of his head with astonishment [=he looked very astonished] when he saw how big it was!
• He punched him right between the eyes. [=punched him hard in the face]
• She looked me (right) in the eye [=she looked directly at me] and told me I was fired.
• The garden is a feast for the eyes. [=the garden is very beautiful]
• The display was very pleasing to the eye. [=pleasing to look at]
• I measured the distance by eye. = I measured the distance with my eye. [=by looking at it to get a rough idea of its size]
• Their daughter came home from school with tears in her eyes. [=she was crying]
• Seeing her again brought tears to my eyes. = Seeing her again brought a tear to my eye. [=made me shed tears]
• He had/kept half an eye on [=he occasionally looked at] the TV while he read the paper.
2 [singular]
a : an ability to understand and appreciate something seen
• Only a trained eye can tell the difference between the original painting and a good copy.
• For decorating, they rely on her discerning/discriminating/expert eye.
• He has an artist's eye for color.
✦If you have an eye for something or a good/keen/sharp eye for something, you have a special ability to recognize a particular thing or quality.
• He has a keen eye for detail.
• He has a good eye for quality.
b
- used to describe the way something looks to you
• It looks a little awkward to my eye. [=it looks awkward to me]
c : a way of looking at or judging something
• He reviewed the proposal with a jaundiced/critical eye.
• The biographer cast a cold/critical/skeptical eye on the artist's life.
3 [count]
- used to describe where someone is looking
• Her eye was attracted to the bright colors in the painting.
• She dropped her eyes [=she looked down] when he looked at her. = Her eyes fell when he looked at her.
• He averted his eyes [=he looked away] when she approached him.
• I saw something moving out of the corner of my eye. [=to the side of where I was looking]
• Her eyes fell on [=she noticed] a piece of evidence no one had noticed before.
• All eyes were on her [=everyone was looking at her] as she entered the room.
• She fixed her eyes on me [=she kept looking or staring at me] for a long time before answering.
4 [count] : a way of looking at or thinking about something
• We need to look at this problem with a fresh eye. [=to look at the problem in a new way]
• Beauty is in the eye of the beholder. [=different people have different ideas about what is beautiful]
- often plural
• He was guilty in the eyes of the police. [=the police considered him guilty]
• He was handsome in her eyes. [=she thought he was handsome]
• In the eyes [=opinion] of many, he is the best person for the job.
5 [count] : the hole through the top of a needle
• the eye of a needle
6 [count] : a loop that a hook fits into to fasten or attach something
7 [count] : an area on a potato from which a new plant can grow : a bud on a potato
8 [count] : the center of a storm (such as a hurricane) where there is little wind or rain and sometimes there is clear sky
• The eye of the storm should reach the coast by morning.
all eyes : watching something or someone closely : very attentive
• She was all eyes as I opened the box.
an eye for an eye or an eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth
- used to say that a person who has committed a crime should be given punishment that is the same as or as serious as the crime
• The ancient code of law called for punishment in the form of an eye for an eye.
as far as the eye could see : as far as could be seen
• The crowd stretched away as far as the eye could see.
a sight for sore eyes
- see 1sight
a twinkle in your eye
- see 1twinkle
bawl your eyes out
- see bawl
before your eyes or in front of your eyes
✦If something happens (right) before your eyes or in front of your (very) eyes, it happens in a very open and visible way so that you can see it very clearly.
• Technology is changing right before our eyes.
• We were watching a disaster take place in front of our very eyes.
can't believe your eyes
- see believe
cast/run your eye over : to read or look at (something) quickly.
• Please run your eye over this and let me know what you think.
• She cast her eye over the apartment, appalled by the mess.
catch your eye
- see 1catch
close/shut your eyes to : to refuse to notice or accept the truth or existence of (something) : to ignore (something)
• Our legislators have closed their eyes to the poverty that surrounds them.
cock an/your eye
- see 2cock
cry your eyes out
- see 1cry
easy on the eyes
- see 1easy
eyes in the back of your head
✦When people are surprised that you have seen or noticed something that is behind you, they may say that you have eyes in the back of your head.
• How did you know we were here? You must have eyes in the back of your head!
feast your eyes on
- see 2feast
for your eyes only : intended to be seen only by you
• This memo is for your eyes only.
give (someone) the eye informal : to look at (someone) in a way that shows sexual attraction
• Several men were giving her the eye across the bar.
have/keep an/your eye out for : to be looking for (someone or something) : to hope to see or find (someone or something)
• I'm keeping my eye out for a good cheap used car.
• He'll be here soon, so keep your eye out for him.
have an eye to/toward : to have (something) in your thoughts as a goal or purpose
• She has an eye to attending graduate school. [=she hopes to attend graduate school]
(have) stars in your eyes
- see 1star
have your eye on
1 : to watch (someone or something) closely
• I'll have my eye on the kids while they're swimming.
2 : to be thinking about buying (something)
• I have my eye on a new car.
• She's had her eye on that house for a long time.
in a pig's eye US slang
- used to express strong disagreement
• You want me to apologize to him? In a pig's eye! [=Never!]
in the blink of an eye
- see 2blink
in the public eye : in a position that receives a lot of public notice and attention
• The job requires someone who is comfortable being in the public eye.
in the twinkle/twinkling of an eye : in a very short time : very quickly
• He was back in the twinkle/twinkling of an eye.
in your mind's eye
✦If you see something in your mind's eye, you imagine or remember how it looks.
• I can still see the old playground in my mind's eye.
keep an/your eye on : to watch or take care of (someone or something)
• Will you keep an eye on my suitcase (for me) while I get something to eat?
keep your eye on the ball
- see 1ball
keep your eyes glued to informal : to watch (something) very closely for a long time
• They kept their eyes glued to the television, waiting for more news about the accident.
keep your eyes open or keep your eyes peeled or Brit keep your eyes skinned informal : to look or watch closely in order to see or find (something)
• We kept our eyes peeled for a sign that would tell us where to turn.
lay/set eyes on or Brit clap eyes on : to see or look at (someone or something)
• I hope never to lay eyes on him again!
• We liked the house from the moment we set eyes on it. [=the moment when we first saw it]
make eyes at informal : to look at (someone) in a way that shows sexual attraction
• Some guy was making eyes at her from across the room.
more than meets the eye
✦If something is more than meets the eye or there is more to something than meets the eye, there is more to it than there appears to be at first.
• There is more to this proposal than meets the eye.
my eye informal
- used to express surprise or mild disagreement
• A diamond, my eye! That's glass!
not bat an eye
- see 4bat
only have eyes for : to only be attracted to (a particular person) : to only feel love for (someone)
• He only has eyes for you.
open someone's eyes : to cause someone to notice or be aware of something important
• The experience really opened his eyes and changed the way he felt about his life.
- often + to
• It's time they opened their eyes to the truth.
• His film helped open people's eyes to the problem.
open your eyes : to begin to notice or be aware of something important
• You need to open your eyes and face the truth.
- often + to
• We have to open our eyes to these problems and stop ignoring them.
pull the wool over someone's eyes
- see wool
roving eye
- see roving
run your eye down : to quickly read or look at (something, such as a list)
• She ran her eye down the list looking for her name.
see eye to eye : to have the same opinion : agree
- usually used in negative statements
• They don't see eye to eye (with each other) on this issue.
take your eyes off : to stop looking at (someone or something)
• I took my eyes off the road for one second.
• She was so beautiful, he couldn't take his eyes off her.
the apple of someone's eye
- see apple
turn a blind eye
- see 1blind
under the eye of : while being watched by (someone)
• The students did their work under the watchful/vigilant eye of their teacher.
up to your eyes : deeply involved in or affected by something
• We're up to our eyes in work. [=we are very busy]
• They're up to their eyes in debt.
with an eye to/toward : with (something) in your thoughts as a goal or purpose
• They hired him with an eye toward increased sales.
• They bought the house with an eye toward its restoration.
• He took the job with an eye to the future. [=he took the job because he felt it would help him in the future]
with your/both eyes open : fully aware of what could happen
• I went into the job with my eyes (wide) open.
• If you do this, you need to do it with both eyes open.
with your eyes shut/closed informal : with little or no effort : very easily
• She could run that company with her eyes shut.
your eyes are bigger than your stomach
✦If your eyes are bigger than your stomach, you have taken more food than you can possibly eat.
• I can't finish my meal—I guess my eyes were bigger than my stomach!
- see also black eye, evil eye, rib eye, seeing eye
