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eye

eye

225 7.2
The small hole at the end of a needle that thread passes through
  • noun
  • /aɪ/
translation icon : ojo de la aguja
  • To pass through the needle's eye, we must leave these feigned embodiments of our knowledge behind.
  • eye of the needle
  • pass through the eye

Examples

  • I spy with my little eye something that is furry.

  • This once held a pearl as big as your eye.

  • I always bring it up and around the eye just to have that.

  • Now take a little bit of that into the eye, not much.

  • So let's just go right under the eye area there.

  • Down one cheek is a long scar, from just below the eye to her upper lip.

    Fiction book (1991)
  • Faolain stepped into Egwene's room, smiling as her eyes went to the tiny hole.

    Fiction book (1991)
  • Thread the needle by passing it through the eye at the end.

  • She carefully inserted the thread into the eye of the needle to start sewing.

  • To fix the fabric, he pulled the thread through the small eye of the needle.

Synonyms

pinhole
vseye
9 4.3

A very small hole made by a pin

is a deliberate passage for thread rather than just a tiny puncture
eyelet
vseye
2 5.6

A small reinforced hole for threading a cord or rod

is a small hole on a tool used to pass thread
eyebolt
vseye
  • Specialized
1 5.0

A metal bolt with a looped head used to attach a rope or cable

is a tiny hole or loop on a needle used to pass thread
screw eye
vseye
  • Specialized
1 5.8

A short metal rod with a round loop at one end for hanging things

is a small loop or hole on a needle used to pass thread
eyehole
vseye
7.4

A small round hole in cloth or leather for a cord

is part of a tool rather than a hole in material
eyehook
vseye
5.5

A small metal loop used to fasten clothing or hang small items

is a hole or loop on a sewing tool for passing thread

Idioms

50 3.3

Very quickly, in almost no time

Choose to ignore something wrong

Seen and talked about by many people

36 3.7

To have the same opinion as someone

blink of an eye
  • Informal
35 2.8

A very short moment that passes almost instantly

Pay attention to the main goal and avoid distractions

13 5.1

Punishment that gives the same harm back to the person who did the wrong

in my mind's eye
  • Literature
13 6.7

To imagine something clearly as a picture in your head

To be good at noticing small details and good qualities in things

A strong ability to notice small things and work very carefully

Stop paying attention to what is important

Stay half awake and watch for danger while you sleep because you are afraid

Look at someone in a way that shows romantic or sexual interest

A person someone loves and values above all others

1 3.8

A very short time when things change suddenly

1 6.6

Without showing surprise or worry

1 6.0

Watch carefully for something you expect to see

To plan or act while thinking about a future goal

in a pig's eye
  • Archaic
1 9.9

To show you do not believe something or to refuse it

1 3.5

Very quickly, in an instant

1 7.9

Hurt someone's eye by hitting it with a sharp object

wink of an eye
  • Informal
1 3.8

In a very short time

A person or thing that someone loves and cares for more than others

To protect people from bad luck caused by a jealous look using charms

Different people think different things are beautiful

A joke that people look more attractive after drinking alcohol

9.9

A strong wish to get revenge and act on it

To judge size or position by looking, not by measuring

A very hard task that is almost impossible

9.9

Something very valuable that people pay a lot for and that many now find offensive

A joking way to say something is very unpleasant or painful

To punish someone in the same way they hurt another person

9.9

A joking way to say people find others more attractive after drinking beer

6.3

A person someone loves most and who makes them very happy

More complicated than it seems

To look at someone with interest to judge or admire them

Look at someone to show romantic or sexual interest

half an eye
  • Informal
8.8

To notice or understand what is happening with little attention

5.1

Very quickly, in almost no time

To say something sharp to hurt or criticize someone

A surprising defeat or disappointment that hurts someone's pride

To look quickly at something

Compounds

56 4.0

Being watched or noticed by many people

53 2.5

Looking directly into another person's eyes to show attention or feeling

37 2.3

A dark swollen bruise around the eye caused by a hit

private eye
  • Informal
24 4.2

A person hired to find out information for someone, often about crimes

24 3.6

The eye without help from tools like a telescope or microscope

23 5.6

The ability to imagine pictures and scenes in your head

16 4.4

An experience that makes you see something in a new way

shut-eye
  • Informal
16 7.2

A short sleep taken to rest, often at night

16 2.8

A doctor who checks and treats problems with the eyes

eye socket
  • Specialized
14 3.5

A hollow space in the skull that holds the eyeball

12 1.0

How light or dark the part of the eye around the pupil looks

11 6.2

An overnight flight that leaves late and often makes you tired

A calm area at the center of a storm or a quiet time in the middle of chaos

evil eye
  • Literature
9 7.2

A look that people think causes harm or bad luck

black eye
  • Informal
9 4.7

An event that hurts how people see someone

eye surgery
  • Specialized
8 3.9

A medical operation on the eye to fix sight problems

A view from above that shows the whole area or situation

eye movement
  • Specialized
8 3.2

The way the eyes move when reading, showing attention or tiredness

7 4.4

The center of a target that gives the highest score when you hit it

7 5.3

A view from above as if a bird is flying

7 6.0

A small glass object that people wear to replace a lost eye

7 4.1

An ability to notice small details that others miss

A dog trained to guide a person who cannot see

eye candy
  • Slang
6 6.3

Attractive pictures or designs that please the eyes but give little useful information

6 3.4

A small drop of medicine put into the eye to help it feel better

4 7.5

Having big eyes that stick out and look surprised

3 3.4

An eye that looks red because it is irritated, tired, or ill

A view from high above that shows the whole area

eagle eye
  • Informal
3 3.9

The ability to notice small details and mistakes very well

2 4.9

An eye set far back in the head that makes the eye area look deep and dark

eye disease
  • Specialized
2 3.3

A health problem that affects the eye and can harm vision

2 2.1

A cover for the eyes that blocks light for sleeping or hides your face at parties

eye chart
  • Specialized
2 3.4

A chart with letters in different sizes to check how clearly you can see

eye infection
  • Specialized
2 2.3

A sickness in the eye that makes it red and painful

2 1.0

A quick closing and opening of an eyelid that keeps the eye wet and protected

rapid eye movement
  • Specialized
2 3.9

A stage of sleep when the eyes move quickly and you have vivid dreams

crossed eye
  • Specialized
1 5.8

One or both eyes turn inward toward the nose

eye care
  • Specialized
1 3.0

To keep your eyes healthy, have regular checkups and protect them

1 3.9

A surprising event or fact that teaches you something new

1 3.2

Eyes that feel tired or sore after looking at screens for too long

1 3.6

A late-night flight that arrives early the next morning

1 3.9

The small central spot on a target that gives the most points

dry eye
  • Specialized
1 4.0

A problem when the eyes do not make enough tears and feel uncomfortable

eye condition
  • Specialized
1 3.4

A problem with the eye that affects vision

bull's eye
  • Informal
1 4.2

A perfect result that reaches the main goal

electric eye
  • Specialized
1 5.3

A device that uses light to notice when people or objects move

eye gunk
  • Informal
1 8.2

A sticky crust that forms in the corners of the eyes after sleep

eye muscle
  • Specialized
1 3.4

A small body part around the eye that moves the eyeball

1 3.1

A dark mark under the eye used during sports to reduce glare

eye opener
  • Informal
1 7.2

An alcoholic drink taken early in the morning to wake you up

eye operation
  • Specialized
1 3.4

A surgery on the eye to fix vision or treat eye problems

1 3.4

A cover you wear over the eyes to protect them from injury or bright light

1 4.1

A person or thing that is easy to notice and attracts attention

magic eye
  • Archaic
1 9.4

A small glowing tube that shows signal strength on old radios

1 3.6

A small metal piece with a hook that fits into a loop to hold clothes closed

1 9.9

A small plant with blue and white flowers often found in meadows and gardens

bull's-eye
  • Archaic
1 8.8

A small lantern with a sliding cover to hide its light

1 3.5

A small tube with a soft rubber top that makes drops of liquid

eye bank
  • Specialized
1 3.7

A place where doctors store donated corneas for transplants

eye tooth
  • Archaic
1 6.7

A pointed tooth next to the front teeth in each jaw

A calm, clear area at the centre of a hurricane surrounded by strong winds

1 3.7

A sleep stage when the eyes move quickly and most dreaming happens

red eye
  • US
1 6.4

A drink made by mixing beer with tomato juice, sometimes with a raw egg

screw eye
  • Specialized
1 5.8

A short metal rod with a round loop at one end for hanging things

simple eye
  • Specialized
1 7.0

A part of an insect or spider body with one lens that helps it see

1 7.5

A careful watch for danger or change

A small evergreen shrub with narrow shiny leaves and yellow flowers

bird's-eye maple
  • Specialized
8.7

A type of maple wood with small eye-like marks and a wavy grain used for fine furniture and instruments

7.4

A person or object with big eyes that stick out, like a car headlight

cat's eye
  • Specialized
9.0

A gem that shows a bright band of light across its surface when cut into a rounded shape

3.4

A small object that reflects light, like a road marker or glass marble

compound eye
  • Specialized
6.0

An eye made of many small lenses that each makes part of the image

compound eye
  • Specialized
7.2

A camera made of many tiny lenses to give a wide view and detect motion

Surface Forms

eye singular
eyes plural

Etymology

Eye for the little hole in a needle comes from the same old root for the body eye, meaning a small 'opening'. So the needle's 'eye' is simply the tiny opening for the thread.