Word of the Day

: September 21, 2008

myopic

adjective mye-OH-pik

What It Means

1 : affected by nearsightedness : of, relating to, or exhibiting nearsightedness

2 : lacking in foresight or discernment : limited in outlook

myopic in Context

The mayor's myopic handling of the city park project caused a number of long-term problems that persisted after her term ended.

Did You Know?

"Myopia" is a condition in which visual images come to a focus in front of the retina of the eye, resulting in the inability to see distant objects clearly. Those with myopia can be referred to as "myopic" (or, less formally, "nearsighted"). "Myopic" has extended meanings, too. Someone who is myopic might have trouble seeing things from a different perspective or considering the future consequences before acting. "Myopic" and "myopia" have a lesser-known relative, "myope," meaning "a myopic person." All of these words ultimately derive from the Greek "myōps," which comes from "myein" (meaning "to be closed") and "ōps" (meaning "eye" or "face").