aɪ
aɪpart of body
1 [countable] either of the two organs on the face that you see withThe suspect has dark hair and green eyes.to close/open your eyesto 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 somebody (= 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-eye2 -eyed (in adjectives) having the type or number of eyes mentioneda blue-eyed blondea one-eyed monsterability to see
3 [singular] the ability to seeA surgeon needs a good eye and a steady hand. see also eagle eyeway of seeing
4 [countable, usually singular] a particular way of seeing somethingHe 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 throughon clothes
6 [countable] a small thin piece of metal curved round, that a small hook fits into, used for fastening clothesIt fastens with a hook and eye.of storm
7 [singular] the eye 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 growIdioms
be all eyes
to be watching somebody/something carefully and with a lot of interest
The kids were all eyes as he slowly unwrapped the package.before/in front of somebody's (very) eyes
in somebody's presence; in front of somebody
He had seen his life's work destroyed before his very eyes.be up to your eyes in something
to have a lot of something to deal with
We're up to our eyes in work.cast/run an eye/your eyes over something
to look at or examine something quickly
Could you just run your eyes over this report?clap/lay/set eyes on somebody/something
(informal) (usually used in negative sentences) to see somebody/somethingI haven't clapped eyes on them for weeks.I hope I never set eyes on this place again!an eye for an eye (and a tooth for a tooth)
(saying) used to say that you should punish somebody by doing to them what they have done to you or to somebody elseThey advocate a justice system that works on the principle of an eye for an eye.somebody's eyes are bigger than their stomach
used to say that somebody has been greedy by taking more food than they can eat
for somebody's eyes only
to be seen only by a particular person
I'll lend you the letters but they're for your eyes only.get your eye in
(British English) (in ball games) to practise so that you are able to judge more clearly how fast and where the ball is goinghave an eye for something
to be able to judge if things look attractive, valuable, etc
I've never had much of an eye for fashion.She has an eye for a bargain.have eyes in the back of your head
to be aware of everything that is happening around you, even things that seem difficult or impossible to see
You can't get away with anything in her class. She has eyes in the back of her head.have (got) eyes like a hawk
to be able to notice or see everything
She's bound to notice that chipped glass. The woman has eyes like a hawk!have one eye/half an eye on something
to look at or watch something while doing something else, especially in a secret way so that other people do not notice
During his talk, most of the delegates had one eye on the clock.have your eye on somebody
1 to be watching somebody carefully, especially to check that they do not do anything wrongAnd remember, I'll have my eye on you so you'd better behave.2 to be thinking about asking somebody out, offering somebody a job, etc. because you think they are attractive, good at their job, etcHe's got his eye on the new girl in your class.have your eye on something
to be thinking about buying something
in the eyes of the law, world, etc.
according to the law, most people in the world, etc
In the eyes of the law she is guilty though few ordinary people would think so.in somebody's eyes
(British English also to somebody's eyes) in somebody's opinion or according to the way that they see the situationShe can do no wrong in her father's eyes.To Western eyes, it may seem that the city is overcrowded.keep an eye on somebody/something
to take care of somebody/something and make sure that they are not harmed, damaged, etc
We've asked the neighbours to keep an eye on the house for us while we are away.keep an eye open/out (for somebody/something)
to look for somebody/something while you are doing other things
Police have asked residents to keep an eye out for anything suspicious.keep your eye on the ball
to continue to give your attention to what is most important
keep your eyes peeled/skinned (for somebody/something)
to look carefully for somebody/something
We kept our eyes peeled for any signs of life.look somebody in the eye(s)/face
(usually used in negative sentences and questions) to look straight at somebody without feeling embarrassed or ashamedCan you look me in the eye and tell me you're not lying?I'll never be able to look her in the face again!make eyes at somebody
|give somebody the eye
to look at somebody in a way that shows that you find them sexually attractive
He's definitely giving you the eye!my eye!
(British English, old-fashioned, informal) used to show that you do not believe somebody/something‘It's an antique.’ ‘An antique, my eye!’not see eye to eye with somebody (on something)
to not share the same views as somebody about something
The two of them have never seen eye to eye on politics.not (be able to) take your eyes off somebody/something
to find somebody/something so interesting, attractive, etc. that you watch them all the time
one in the eye (for somebody/something)
(informal) a result, action, etc. that represents a defeat or disappointment for somebody/somethingThe appointment of a woman was one in the eye for male domination.only have eyes for/have eyes only for somebody
to be in love with only one particular person
He's only ever had eyes for his wife.see, look at, etc. something through somebody's eyes
to think about or see something the way that another person sees it
Try looking at it through her eyes for a change.Events are seen through the eyes of a Polish refugee.shut/close your eyes to something
to pretend that you have not noticed something so that you do not have to deal with it
You can't just close your eyes to his violence.They seem intent on shutting their eyes to the problems of pollution.take your eye off the ball
to stop giving your attention to what is most important
under the (watchful) eye of somebody
being watched carefully by somebody
The children played under the watchful eye of their father.what the eye doesn't see (the heart doesn't grieve over)
(saying) if a person does not know about something that they would normally disapprove of, then it cannot hurt themWhat does it matter if I use his flat while he's away? What the eye doesn't see…!with an eye for/on/to the main chance
(British English, usually disapproving) with the hope of using a particular situation in order to gain some advantage for yourselfwith an eye to something/to doing something
with the intention of doing something
He bought the warehouse with an eye to converting it into a hotel.with your eyes open
fully aware of the possible problems or results of a particular course of action
I went into this with my eyes open so I guess I only have myself to blame.with your eyes shut/closed
having enough experience to be able to do something easily
I've made this trip so often, I could do it with my eyes shut.
Usage note: Physical appearanceA person may be described as having:Eyes(bright) blue/green/(dark/light) brown/hazel eyesdeep-set/sunken/bulging/protruding eyessmall/beady/sparkling/twinkling/(informal) shifty eyespiercing/penetrating/steely eyesbloodshot/watery/puffy eyesbushy/thick/dark/raised/arched eyebrowslong/dark/thick/curly/false eyelashes/lashesFacea flat/bulbous/pointed/sharp/snub nosea straight/a hooked/a Roman/(formal) an aquiline nosefull/thick/thin/pouty lipsdry/chapped/cracked lipsflushed/rosy/red/ruddy/pale cheekssoft/chubby/sunken cheekswhite/perfect/crooked/protruding teetha large/high/broad/wide/sloping foreheada strong/weak/pointed/double china long/full/bushy/wispy/goatee bearda long/thin/bushy/droopy/handlebar/pencil moustache/(especially US) mustacheHair and skinpale/fair/olive/dark/tanned skindry/oily/smooth/rough/leathery/wrinkled skina dark/pale/light/sallow/ruddy/olive/swarthy/clear complexiondeep/fine/little/facial wrinklesblonde/blond/fair/(light/dark) brown/(jet-)black/auburn/red/(British English) ginger/grey hairstraight/curly/wavy/frizzy/spiky hairthick/thin/fine/bushy/thinning hairdyed/bleached/soft/silky/dry/greasy/shiny hairlong/short/shoulder-length/cropped haira bald/balding/shaved heada receding hairlinea bald patch/spota side/centre/(US) center (British English) parting/(North American English) partBodya long/short/thick/slender/(disapproving) scrawny neckbroad/narrow/sloping/rounded/hunched shouldersa bare/broad/muscular/small/large chesta flat/swollen/bulging stomacha small/tiny/narrow/slim/slender/28-inch waistbig/wide/narrow/slim hipsa straight/bent/arched/broad/hairy backthin/slender/muscular armsbig/large/small/manicured/calloused/gloved handslong/short/fat/slender/delicate/bony fingerslong/muscular/hairy/shapely/(both informal, often disapproving) skinny/spindly legsmuscular/chubby/(informal, disapproving) flabby thighsbig/little/small/dainty/wide/narrow/bare feeta good/a slim/a slender/an hourglass figurebe of slim/medium/average/large/athletic/stocky build