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bugeye

bugeye

7.9
A person or animal that has very large, round eyes that stick out
  • adjective
  • /ˈbjuːɡaɪ/
translation icon : ojos saltones
  • The cartoon villain had a bugeye expression that made him look both silly and scary.

Examples

  • Some fish have a naturally bugeye appearance to help them see in deep water.

  • Look at that bugeye insect on the wall!

  • He wore a mask with a bugeye design for the costume party.

  • The bugeye frog has distinctively large eyes.

  • The cartoon villain had a bugeye expression that made him look both silly and scary.

  • Some fish have a naturally bugeye appearance to help them see in deep water.

  • Look at that bugeye insect on the wall!

Synonyms

googly
vsbugeye
  • Informal
7 8.4

Having large, round eyes that move and look funny

is a literal large round or protruding eye look without silliness
goggle-eyed
vsbugeye
1 7.6

Having eyes wide open because you feel surprised or amazed

is very large, round, and protruding by shape rather than temporary surprise
goggly
vsbugeye
  • Informal
1 8.1

Having very large eyes that look surprised

is large and round or protruding as a physical trait not only surprise
round-eyed
vsbugeye
1 4.8

Having large, open eyes that show surprise or childlike wonder

is more about pronounced protrusion or unusual shape rather than mere roundness
exophthalmic
vsbugeye
  • Specialized
1 9.9

The eyes stick out from the face because of a disease

is a general visual trait of large round or protruding eyes not medical
starting
vsbugeye
7.5

Having eyes wide and sticking out because of fear or surprise

is a general physical appearance of very large round or protruding eyes
bogeyed
vsbugeye
  • Archaic
9.9

Having eyes that look strange and frightening like a monster's

is a neutral description of large round or protruding eyes without scary tone

How Bulging

exophthalmic
  • Specialized
1 9.9
starting
7.5
bugeye
7.9
wide-eyed
27 3.4

Surface Forms

bugeye positive

Morphology

bugeye = bug + eye (transparent) = bug + eye

The adjective is a straightforward descriptive compound ('bug' + 'eye') meaning 'having eyes like a bug', so learners who know the components can infer the sense.

Etymology

Bugeye comes from bug + eye, meaning 'insect eye', so imagine a bug's very large, round eyes. So bugeye describes someone or something with very big, round, or bulging eyes, which makes the meaning easy to remember.