Skip to main content
eye

eye

40 7.0
The calm center of an area surrounded by strong wind or activity
  • noun
  • /aɪ/
: ojo del huracán
  • She focused on the painting, trying to find the details that would capture her eye.

Examples

  • The vibrant colors of the market were a feast for the eye, drawing visitors from all around.

  • Gentlemen, it is time we brought this cause into the public eye.

  • The trees were in glory; the eye couldn't help but rest on them.

    Fiction book (1990)
  • There's much more to us than meets the eye.

  • But if you cast your eyes farther down the road, there's almost always a payoff or two.

    Academic text (2011)
  • Bing Dingham looked into the eye of Camera One for the close-up shot.

    Fiction book (1992)
  • From the top of the hill, we had a stunning view of the city, stretching out as far as the eye could see.

Synonyms

middle
vseye
∞ 1.0

The part of something that is equally far from its start and end

is a central spot amid disturbance rather than a neutral midpoint
center
vseye
  • US
692 1.0

The middle point of something that is equally far from all sides

is a central spot amid surrounding disturbance rather than an exact geometric point
heart
vseye
510 2.7

The central part of something, for example an idea or a place

is a central area amid disturbance rather than the idea's main importance

Idioms

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
34 2.8

A very short moment that passes almost instantly

24 3.3

Very quickly, in almost no time

22 5.7

More complicated than it seems

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

20 5.1

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

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

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

10 7.9

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

A person someone loves and values above all others

in my mind's eye
  • Literature
8 6.7

To imagine something clearly as a picture in your head

To plan or act while thinking about a future goal

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

6 9.9

A strong wish to get revenge and act on it

A strong ability to notice small things and work very carefully

Different people think different things are beautiful

3 6.3

A person someone loves most and who makes them very happy

3 6.5

To judge size or position by looking, not by measuring

Stop paying attention to what is important

2 6.6

Without showing surprise or worry

2 3.8

A very short time when things change suddenly

To punish someone in the same way they hurt another person

wink of an eye
  • Informal
2 3.8

In a very short time

in a pig's eye
  • Archaic
1 9.9

To show you do not believe something or to refuse it

A very hard task that is almost impossible

1 6.0

Watch carefully for something you expect to see

1 3.5

Very quickly, in an instant

half an eye
  • Informal
1 8.8

To notice or understand what is happening with little attention

Look at someone to show romantic or sexual interest

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

To look at someone with interest to judge or admire them

1 8.8

A surprising defeat or disappointment that hurts someone's pride

1 7.8

To look quickly at something

1 5.1

Very quickly, in almost no time

A joking way to say something is very unpleasant or painful

Pay attention to the main goal and avoid distractions

A joke that people look more attractive after drinking alcohol

9.9

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

9.9

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

To say something sharp to hurt or criticize someone

Compounds

122 2.5

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

57 4.4

An experience that makes you see something in a new way

53 2.3

A dark swollen bruise around the eye caused by a hit

53 4.0

Being watched or noticed by many people

43 3.4

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

32 4.4

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

bull's eye
  • Informal
30 4.2

A perfect result that reaches the main goal

private eye
  • Informal
27 4.2

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

27 5.6

The ability to imagine pictures and scenes in your head

26 3.6

The eye without help from tools like a telescope or microscope

eye socket
  • Specialized
21 3.5

A hollow space in the skull that holds the eyeball

19 2.8

A doctor who checks and treats problems with the eyes

crossed eye
  • Specialized
17 5.8

One or both eyes turn inward toward the nose

evil eye
  • Literature
17 7.2

A look that people think causes harm or bad luck

16 3.9

A surprising event or fact that teaches you something new

shut-eye
  • Informal
16 7.2

A short sleep taken to rest, often at night

eye candy
  • Slang
15 6.3

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

15 1.0

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

14 7.5

Having big eyes that stick out and look surprised

14 1.0

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

black eye
  • Informal
14 4.7

An event that hurts how people see someone

14 5.3

A view from above as if a bird is flying

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

A view from above that shows the whole area or situation

12 3.6

A late-night flight that arrives early the next morning

11 6.2

An overnight flight that leaves late and often makes you tired

11 4.1

An ability to notice small details that others miss

eye surgery
  • Specialized
11 3.9

A medical operation on the eye to fix sight problems

A dog trained to guide a person who cannot see

eye movement
  • Specialized
10 3.2

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

9 6.0

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

9 3.4

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

9 3.9

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

eagle eye
  • Informal
8 3.9

The ability to notice small details and mistakes very well

A view from high above that shows the whole area

dry eye
  • Specialized
5 4.0

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

3 4.9

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

rapid eye movement
  • Specialized
3 3.9

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

eye disease
  • Specialized
3 3.3

A health problem that affects the eye and can harm vision

eye muscle
  • Specialized
2 3.4

A small body part around the eye that moves the eyeball

eye chart
  • Specialized
2 3.4

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

eye care
  • Specialized
2 3.0

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

eye tooth
  • Archaic
2 6.7

A pointed tooth next to the front teeth in each jaw

compound eye
  • Specialized
2 6.0

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

eye condition
  • Specialized
2 3.4

A problem with the eye that affects vision

eye infection
  • Specialized
2 2.3

A sickness in the eye that makes it red and painful

2 7.5

A careful watch for danger or change

2 3.2

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

2 8.8

A bright happy look with the eyes that shows strong feeling

1 3.1

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

third eye
  • Specialized
1 9.8

A small part on top of the head in some reptiles that senses changes in light

1 7.4

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

1 3.5

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

eye clinic
  • Specialized
1 2.4

A place where eye doctors check and treat eyes

1 4.1

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

eye operation
  • Specialized
1 3.4

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

1 3.7

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

eye gunk
  • Informal
1 8.2

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

1 3.4

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

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

1 3.4

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

electric eye
  • Specialized
1 5.3

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

1 3.6

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

Eye of Ra
  • Literature
1 9.9

A powerful sun goddess in ancient Egypt who appears as a lioness and protects or destroys

1 2.1

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

cat's eye
  • Specialized
1 9.0

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

eye cup
  • Specialized
1 6.7

A small cup that fits around the eye to rinse it or put medicine in it

eye bank
  • Specialized
1 3.7

A place where doctors store donated corneas for transplants

1 3.8

Bright red pupils in photos caused by camera flash

A clear part behind the colored part of the eye that focuses light on the back of the eye

red eye
  • US
1 6.4

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

1 9.9

A person whose eyes do not line up and point in different directions

simple eye
  • Specialized
1 7.0

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

Surface Forms

eye singular
eyes plural

Etymology

Eye in phrases like 'eye of the storm' uses the idea of an 'opening' or calm centre in the middle of danger, just like an eye is a clear centre. That's why the storm's 'eye' is the quiet middle of the storm.