eye

1 of 2

noun

1
a
: a specialized light-sensitive sensory structure of animals that in nearly all vertebrates, most arthropods, and some mollusks is the image-forming organ of sight
especially : the nearly spherical usually paired hollow organ of sight in vertebrates that is filled with a jellylike material, is lined with a photosensitive retina, and is lodged in a bony orbit in the skull
b
: all the visible structures within and surrounding the orbit and including eyelids, eyelashes, and eyebrows
c(1)
: the faculty of seeing with eyes
(2)
: the faculty of intellectual or aesthetic perception or appreciation
an eye for beauty
(3)
: skill or ability dependent upon eyesight
a batter with a good eye
d
: look, glance
cast an eager eye
e(1)
: an attentive look
kept an eye on his valuables
(2)
: attention, notice
caught his eye
(3)
: close observation : scrutiny
works under the eye of her boss
in the public eye
f
: point of view, judgment
beauty is in the eye of the beholder
often used in plural
an offender in the eyes of the law
2
: something having an appearance suggestive of an eye: such as
a
: the hole through the head of a needle
b
: a usually circular marking (as on a peacock's tail)
c
: loop
especially : a loop or catch to receive a hook
d
: an undeveloped bud (as on a potato)
e
: an area like a hole in the center of a tropical cyclone marked by only light winds or complete calm with no precipitation
f
: the center of a flower especially when differently colored or marked
specifically : the disk of a composite
g(1)
: a triangular piece of beef cut from between the top and bottom of a round
(2)
: the chief muscle of a chop
(3)
: a compact mass of muscular tissue usually embedded in fat in a rib or loin cut of meat
h
: a device (such as a photoelectric cell) that functions in a manner analogous to human vision
3
: something central : center
the eye of the problemNorman Mailer
4
: the direction from which the wind is blowing
eyeless adjective
eyelike adjective

Illustration of eye

Illustration of eye
  • 1 optic nerve
  • 2 blind spot
  • 3 fovea
  • 4 sclera
  • 5 choroid
  • 6 retina
  • 7 ciliary body
  • 8 posterior chamber
  • 9 anterior chamber
  • 10 cornea
  • 11 lens
  • 12 iris
  • 13 suspensory ligament
  • 14 conjunctiva
  • 15 vitreous humor

eye

2 of 2

verb

eyed; eyeing or eying

transitive verb

1
a(1)
: to fix the eyes on : look at
they eyed him suspiciously
(2)
: contemplate, consider
eyeing the choices
b
: to watch or study closely
eyeing changes in the stock market
2
: to furnish with an eye
eyer noun
Phrases
an eye for an eye
: retribution in kind
my eye
used to express mild disagreement or sometimes surprise
a diamond, my eye! That's glass
with an eye to or less commonly with an eye toward
1
: with awareness or contemplation of
with an eye to the future
2
: with the object of
built the house with an eye to adding on later

Did you know?

The eye is an organ that receives light and visual images. Non-image forming eyes (also called direction eyes) are found among worms, mollusks, cnidarians, echinoderms, and other invertebrates. Image-forming eyes are found in certain mollusks, most arthropods, and nearly all vertebrates. Arthropods are unique in possessing a compound eye, which results in their seeing a multiple image that is partially integrated in the brain. Lower vertebrates, such as fish, have eyes on either side of the head, allowing a maximum view of the surroundings, but producing two separate fields of vision. In predatory birds and mammals, binocular vision is more important. The placement of both eyes on the front of the head permits a larger overlap of the two visual fields, resulting in a parallel line of direct sight.

Examples of eye in a Sentence

Noun Her eyes slowly became accustomed to the dark. He wears a patch over one eye. I have something in my eye. Only a trained eye can tell the difference between the original painting and a good copy. For decorating, they rely on her discerning eye. He has an artist's eye for color. He reviewed the proposal with a jaundiced eye. The biographer cast a cold eye on the artist's life. Verb I saw someone eyeing me from across the street. a lot of his backyard bird watching was spent eyeing the squirrels as they depleted the bird feeder of seeds
Recent Examples on the Web
Noun
He is blinded by the sun, but eventually his eyes adjust. Emma Green, The New Yorker, 11 Mar. 2024 Turns out, the Oppenheimer star, who is famously press shy, treats the event like any other awards ceremony—with a tasteful (and super stealthy) eye towards tailoring, which is always meant to seamlessly blend in, not stand out. Christian Allaire, Vogue, 11 Mar. 2024 Kate Middleton, the Princess of Wales, has been away from the public eye since Christmas. Prarthana Prakash, Fortune Europe, 11 Mar. 2024 For makeup, donned a dramatic, smokey eye and glossy, salmon lip. Bailey Richards, Peoplemag, 11 Mar. 2024 Her long disappearance from the public eye sparked furious rumors online and international media coverage. Mitchell McCluskey, CNN, 11 Mar. 2024 But there were some who dared to go bold with vampy dark smokey eyes: Danielle Brooks chose a charcoal eye, while Wicked star Cynthia Erivo wore a fitting emerald green. Ariana Yaptangco, Glamour, 10 Mar. 2024 For now, the Listen to Michigan campaign has its eyes on other primary contests on the Democratic election calendar ahead of the party's nominating convention. Detroit Free Press, 28 Feb. 2024 The three friends approached the world’s perplexities with an intellectual eye. Rozina Ali, New York Times, 28 Feb. 2024
Verb
Authorities are eyeing more charges pending an FBI investigation into the girl's disappearance. Audrey Conklin, Fox News, 8 Mar. 2024 Another area eyed at Veterans Park would remove more than one dozen parking spaces. Tammy Murga, San Diego Union-Tribune, 8 Mar. 2024 Now, Sephora is eyeing more growth in the coming years as people continue spending on its makeup and skincare products, the company’s CEO Guillaume Motte said. Prarthana Prakash, Fortune Europe, 5 Mar. 2024 Amid the accolades, the athlete and her team are preparing for March Madness — and Clark is also eying her future. Anna Lazarus Caplan, Peoplemag, 5 Mar. 2024 The line between governing and eyeing the next election has become indistinguishable — much to the chagrin of those who wish expedience and partisanship had less influence over lawmakers and their decisions. Mark Z. Barabak, The Mercury News, 3 Mar. 2024 While some users crave the bare-bones experience of an RSS feed catcher for podcasts, McLendon is eyeing a future where algorithmic discovery and video podcast clips are more central to the user experience. Reece Rogers, WIRED, 28 Feb. 2024 The company is eyeing expansion into adjacent sectors, with new content for working professionals in areas such as product management. David Prosser, Forbes, 26 Feb. 2024 Eagle eyed viewers also spotted, just before the telecast ended, the two sharing what looked like a sincere embrace onstage. Rebecca Sun, The Hollywood Reporter, 25 Feb. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'eye.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English, from Old English ēage; akin to Old High German ouga eye, Latin oculus, Greek ōps eye, face, Sanskrit akṣi eye

First Known Use

Noun

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Verb

15th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1a(1)

Time Traveler
The first known use of eye was before the 12th century

Dictionary Entries Near eye

Cite this Entry

“Eye.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/eye. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

eye

1 of 2 noun
1
a
: an organ of sight
especially : a rounded hollow organ that is filled with a jellylike material, is lined with a sensitive retina, and is located in a bone-lined cavity in the skull of a vertebrate
b
: all the visible parts (as the eyelids) within and surrounding the bone-lined cavity
2
a
: ability to see or appreciate
a good eye for painting
b
: glance entry 2 sense 3
cast an eager eye
c
: close attention or observation
keep an eye on it
d
: judgment sense 1
guilty in the eyes of the law
3
: something like or suggestive of an eye: as
a
: the hole through the head of a needle
b
: a loop to catch or receive a hook
c
: an undeveloped bud (as on a potato)
d
: a device (as a photoelectric cell) that functions somewhat like human vision
4
: the center of something
the eye of a hurricane
eyed
ˈīd
adjective
eyeless adjective
eyelike adjective

eye

2 of 2 verb
eyed; eyeing or eying
: to watch or study closely

Medical Definition

eye

noun
1
: an organ of sight
especially : a nearly spherical hollow organ that is lined with a sensitive retina, is lodged in a bony orbit in the skull, is the vertebrate organ of sight, and is normally paired
2
: all the visible structures within and surrounding the orbit and including eyelids, eyelashes, and eyebrows
3
: the faculty of seeing with eyes
eyeless adjective
eyelike adjective

More from Merriam-Webster on eye

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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