English Dictionary

Definition of “eye”

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1eye1 (aɪPronunciation for eye1) 

Definitions

noun

  1. the organ of sight of animals, containing light-sensitive cells associated with nerve fibres, so that light entering the eye is converted to nervous impulses that reach the brain. In man and other vertebrates the iris controls the amount of light entering the eye and the lens focuses the light onto the retina ocularoculateophthalmicoptic
  2. (often plural) the ability to see; sense of vision  ⇒ weak eyes 
  3. the visible external part of an eye, often including the area around it  ⇒ heavy-lidded eyes piercing eyes 
  4. a look, glance, expression, or gaze  ⇒ a stern eye 
  5. a sexually inviting or provocative look (esp in the phrases give (someone) the (glad) eye, make eyes at)
  6. attention or observation (often in the phrases catch someone's eye, keep an eye on, cast an eye over)
  7. ability to recognize, judge, or appreciate  ⇒ an eye for antiques 
  8. (often plural) opinion, judgment, point of view, or authority  ⇒ in the eyes of the law 
  9. a structure or marking having the appearance of an eye, such as the bud on a twig or potato tuber or a spot on a butterfly wing
  10. a small loop or hole, as at one end of a needle
  11. a small area of low pressure and calm in the centre of a tornado or cyclone
  12. See photocell
  13. informal See private eye
  14. See all eyes
  15. See my eye
  16. See an eye for an eye
  17. See cut one's eye after someone
  18. See eyes out
  19. See get one's eye in
  20. See half an eye
  21. See have eyes for
  22. See in one's mind's eye
  23. See in the public eye
  24. See keep an eye open
  25. See keep one's eyes peeled
  26. See look someone in the eye
  27. See make eyes
  28. See more than meets the eye
  29. See pick the eyes out
  30. See see eye to eye
  31. See set eyes on
  32. See the eye of the wind
  33. See turn a blind eye to
  34. See up to one's eyes
  35. See with a … eye
  36. See with an eye to
  37. See with one's eyes open
  38. See with one's eyes shut

verb

Word forms: eyes, eyeing, eying, eyed
(tr)
  1. to look at carefully or warily
  2. eye upto look at in a manner indicating sexual interest; ogle

See also

eyes

Alternative Forms

ˈeyeless adjective ˈeyeˌlike adjective

Word Origin

Old English ēage;  related to Old Norse auga,  Old High German ouga,  Sanskrit aksi

2eye2 (aɪPronunciation for eye2) 

Definitions

noun

  1. another word for nye

Quotations

  • "If thy right eye offend thee, pluck it out" Bible: St. Matthew
  • "The sight of you is good for sore eyes" Jonathan Swift
  • "The eyes are the windows of the soul"

Translations

  • British English: eye Pronunciation for eye Your eyes are the parts of your body with which you see.I opened my eyes and looked.aɪ NOUN I opened my eyes and looked.
  • Spanish: ojo Pronunciation for ojo nm
  • French: œil Pronunciation for œil nm yeux
  • German: Auge Pronunciation for Auge nnt
  • Chinese: 眼睛Pronunciation for 眼睛 n
  • Arabic: عَيْـنPronunciation for عَيْـن n
  • Portuguese: olhoPronunciation for olho nm
  • Russian: глазPronunciation for глаз nm
  • Croatian: okoPronunciation for oko nnt
  • Czech: okoPronunciation for oko nnt
  • Danish: øjePronunciation for øje nnt
  • Dutch: oogPronunciation for oog nnt
  • Finnish: silmäPronunciation for silmä n
  • Greek: μάτιPronunciation for μάτι nnt
  • Italian: occhioPronunciation for occhio nm
  • Japanese: 目Pronunciation for 目 n
  • Korean: 눈Pronunciation for 눈 n
  • Norwegian: øyePronunciation for øye nnt
  • Polish: okoPronunciation for oko nnt
  • Brazilian Portuguese: olhoPronunciation for olho nm
  • European Spanish: ojo Pronunciation for ojo nm
  • Swedish: ögaPronunciation for öga nnt
  • Thai: ตาPronunciation for ตา n
  • Turkish: gözPronunciation for göz n
  • Vietnamese: mắtPronunciation for mắt n

Usage examples

  • Flicking through the pages without expectation, her eye was caught by an engraving that showed exactly what she was looking for.
    Garth Nix, LIRAEL: DAUGHTER OF THE CLAYR (2001)
  • Have your say in the forum Duck Shooting Game Keep your eye in during the off-season with Countrylife.
    Country Life (2004)
  • Those who do not qualify for free banking just have to keep on eye on what charges are being applied.
    Irish Times (2002)
  • That was entirely deliberate: there's more to Catherine McCormack than meets the eye.
    Glasgow Herald (2001)
  • Screwing an inspection glass in his eye , Uncle Alf roamed the body of the old violin.
    Alexander Games (compiler), THE ESSENTIAL SPIKE MILLIGAN (2002)

Commonness

All English words that begin with 'E'

Related Terms

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