eye

UK: /ˈaɪ/ US: /aɪ/ ,(ī)

Inflections of 'eye' (v): (⇒ conjugate)

eyes

v 3rd person singular

eyeing

v pres p

eyed

v past

eyed

v past p

WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2025

eye /aɪ/   n., v., eyed, ey•ing or eye•ing. 
n. [countable]

1. Anatomy the organ of sight;
   in animals with backbones, one of a pair of rounded bodies in the skull with muscles and nerves.
2. [usually: singular] sight;
   vision:
   The marksman had a sharp eye.
3. [usually: singular] the power of seeing and appreciating something through vision:
   an artistic eye.
4. a look, glance, or gaze:
   to cast one's eye upon a scene.
5. an attentive look;
   observation:
   under the watchful eyes of the guards.
6. point of view;
   intention:
   through the eyes of a ten-year-old.
7. judgment;
   opinion:
   innocent in the eyes of the law.
8. Clothing something suggesting the eye in appearance, as the opening in the lens of a camera or a hole in a needle.

v. [~ + object]

9. to look at;
   view;
   watch:
   eyed the strangers with suspicion.

Idioms

10. Idioms be all eyes, to be extremely attentive;
    to pay great attention:
    She was all eyes as the magician began his act.
11. Idioms catch someone's eye, to attract someone's attention:
    She caught my eye as I moved toward the door.
12. Idioms have an eye for, [~ + object] have good judgment about or appreciation for:
    He has an eye for bargains.
13. Idioms have eyes for, [have + -s + for + object] to be attracted to:
    She only has eyes for you.
14. Idioms keep one's eyes open, [no object] to be especially alert or observant:
    The guards were told to keep their eyes open for a possible escape.
15. Idioms make eyes at, [make + ~-s + at + object] to glance at in a flirting way;
    ogle.
16. Idioms see eye to eye, to agree:
    We finally see eye to eye after our misunderstanding.

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2025

eye  (ī), n., pl. eyes, (Archaic) ey•en or eyne;
 v., eyed, ey•ing or eye•ing. 
n. 

1. Anatomy the organ of sight, in vertebrates typically one of a pair of spherical bodies contained in an orbit of the skull and in humans appearing externally as a dense, white, curved membrane, or sclera, surrounding a circular, colored portion, or iris, that is covered by a clear, curved membrane, or cornea, and in the center of which is an opening, or pupil, through which light passes to the retina.
2. Anatomy the aggregate of structures situated within or near the orbit that assist, support, or protect the eye.
3. Anatomy this organ with respect to the color of the iris:
   blue eyes.
4. Anatomy the region surrounding the eye:
   a black eye; puffy eyes.
5. sight;
   vision:
   a sharp eye.
6. the power of seeing;
   appreciative or discriminating visual perception:
   the eye of an artist.
7. a look, glance, or gaze:
   to cast one's eye at a beautiful necklace.
8. an attentive look, close observation, or watch:
   to be under the eye of a guard.
9. regard, view, aim, or intention:
   to have an eye to one's own advantage.
10. a manner or way of looking at a thing;
    estimation;
    opinion:
    in the eyes of the law.
11. a center of light, intelligence, influence, etc.
12. Clothing something resembling or suggesting the eye in appearance, shape, etc., as the opening in the lens of a camera, a peephole, or a buttonhole.
13. [Bot.]
    • Botany the bud of a potato, Jerusalem artichoke, etc.
    • Botany a small, contrastingly colored part at the center of a flower.
14. Sport the central spot of a target;
    bull's-eye.
15. Food a choice center cut of meat:
    an eye of round; the eye of the rib.
16. Birds one of the round spots on the tail feathers of a peacock.
17. Clothing the hole in a needle.
18. a hole made in a thing for the insertion of some object, as the handle of a tool:
    the eye of an ax.
19. a metal or other ring through which something, as a rope or rod, is passed.
20. Clothing the loop into which a hook is inserted.
21. Electronics a photoelectric cell or similar device used to perform a function analogous to visual inspection.
22. Building a ring on the end of a tension member, as an eye bar or eye bolt, for connection with another member.
23. Food a hole formed during the maturation of cheese, esp. Emmenthaler or Gruyère.
24. Textiles a loop worked at the end of a rope.
25. Meteorology the approximately circular region of relatively light winds and fair weather found at the center of a severe tropical cyclone.
26. Nautical, Naval Terms eyes, the extreme forward part of the upper deck at the bow of a vessel.
27. Nautical, Naval Terms, Meteorology the precise direction from which a wind is blowing.
28. Idioms an eye for an eye, repayment in kind, as revenge for an injustice.
29. Idioms be all eyes, to give all one's attention to something;
    look intently.
30. Idioms catch someone's eye, to draw or attract someone's attention:
    to catch the waiter's eye.
31. Idioms give (someone) the eye, [Informal.] to look fixedly at (another person), esp. with obvious admiration;
    ogle:
    She ignored the men who were giving her the eye.
32. Idioms have an eye for, to have the ability to appreciate distinctions in;
    be discerning or perceptive about:
    She has an eye for antique furniture.
33. Idioms have eyes only for:
    • to want no other person or thing but:
      She was always surrounded by admirers, but she had eyes only for Harry.
    • to see, or view, or desire to see only. Also, only have eyes for. 
34. in a pig's eye, [Slang.] absolutely notnb;
    dw d never:
    In a pig's eye I will!
35. Idioms keep an eye on, to watch over attentively:
    Please keep an eye on my plants while I'm away.
36. Idioms keep an eye out for, to be vigilant in looking or watching for:
    The announcer told his listeners to keep an eye out for the escaped criminal.
37. Idioms keep one's eye on the ball, to remain attentive;
    be especially alert.
38. Idioms keep one's eyes open, to be especially alert or observant.
39. lay, clap, or set eyes on, [Informal.] to catch sight of;
    see:
    They had never laid eyes on such a big car before.
40. Idioms make eyes at, to gaze flirtatiously or amorously at.
41. my eye! [Informal.] (a mild exclamation of contradiction or surprise):
    He says he wasn't told about this? My eye!
42. Idioms open one's eyes, to bring someone to a realization of the truth or of something previously unknown:
    A trip through Asia opened his eyes to the conditions under which millions had to live.
43. British Terms, Idioms pick the eyes out, [Australia and New Zealand.] to select the best parts or items.
44. Idioms run one's eye over, to glance briefly at;
    examine hastily.
45. Idioms see eye to eye, to have exactly the same opinion;
    agree:
    They have never been able to see eye to eye on politics.
46. Idioms see with half an eye, to see or realize immediately or with ease:
    Anyone can see with half an eye that the plan is doomed to fail.
47. Idioms shut one's eyes to, to refuse to see or consider;
    disregard:
    We can no longer shut our eyes to the gravity of the situation.
48. Idioms sight for sore eyes, a welcome sight;
    a pleasant surprise:
    After our many days in the desert, the wretched village was a sight for sore eyes.
49. Idioms with an eye to, with a plan or purpose of:
    with an eye to one's future.
50. Idioms with one's eyes open, aware of the inherent or potential risks:
    She signed the papers with her eyes open.

v.t. 

51. to fix the eyes upon;
    view:
    to eye the wonders of nature.
52. to observe or watch narrowly:
    She eyed the two strangers with suspicion.
53. to make an eye in:
    to eye a needle.

v.i. 

54. [Obs.] to appear to the eye.

• bef. 900; Middle English eie, ie, Old English ēge, variant of ēage; cognate with German Auge; akin to Latin oculus, Greek ó̄ps, Sanskrit akṣi

eye′a•ble, adj. 
eye′like′, adj. 
ey′er, n. 

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

eye / aɪ/ noun

1. the organ of sight of animals, containing light-sensitive cells associated with nerve fibres, so that light entering the eye is converted to nervous impulses that reach the brain. In humans and other vertebrates the iris controls the amount of light entering the eye and the lens focuses the light onto the retina
2. (often plural) the ability to see; sense of vision
3. the visible external part of an eye, often including the area around it
4. a look, glance, expression, or gaze
5. a sexually inviting or provocative look (esp in the phrases give (someone) the (glad) eye, make eyes at)
6. attention or observation (often in the phrases catch someone's eye, keep an eye on, cast an eye over)
7. ability to recognize, judge, or appreciate
8. (often plural) opinion, judgment, point of view, or authority: in the eyes of the law
9. a structure or marking having the appearance of an eye, such as the bud on a twig or potato tuber or a spot on a butterfly wing
10. a small loop or hole, as at one end of a needle
11. a small area of low pressure and calm in the centre of a tornado or cyclone
12. See photocell
13. 
    See private eye
14. all eyes ⇒ acutely vigilant or observant
15. my eye, all my eye ⇒ rubbish; nonsense
16. an eye for an eye ⇒ retributive or vengeful justice; retaliation
17. eyes out ⇒ with every possible effort
18. get one's eye in ⇒ to become accustomed to the conditions, light, etc, with a consequent improvement in one's performance
19. half an eye ⇒ a modicum of perceptiveness
20. have eyes for ⇒ to be interested in
21. in one's mind's eye ⇒ pictured within the mind; imagined or remembered vividly
22. in the public eye ⇒ exposed to public curiosity or publicity
23. keep an eye open, keep an eye out ⇒ to watch with special attention (for)
24. keep one's eyes peeled, keep one's eyes skinned ⇒ to watch vigilantly (for)
25. look someone in the eye ⇒ to look at someone openly and without shame or embarrassment
26. make eyes, make sheep's eyes ⇒ to ogle amorously
27. more than meets the eye ⇒ hidden motives, meaning, or facts
28. see eye to eye ⇒ to agree (with)
29. set eyes on, lay eyes on, clap eyes on ⇒ (usually used with a negative) to see
30. turn a blind eye to, close one's eyes to ⇒ to pretend not to notice or ignore deliberately
31. up to one's eyes ⇒ extremely busy (with)
32. with an eye to, having an eye to ⇒ (preposition) regarding; with reference to
33. with the intention or purpose of
34. with one's eyes open ⇒ in the full knowledge of all relevant facts
35. with one's eyes shut ⇒ with great ease, esp as a result of thorough familiarity
36. without being aware of all the facts

verb (eyes, eyeing, eying, eyed)(transitive)

1. to look at carefully or warily
2. Also: eye up to look at in a manner indicating sexual interest; ogle

Etymology: Old English ēage; related to Old Norse auga, Old High German ouga, Sanskrit aksi

ˈeyeless adjective

ˈeyeˌlike adjective

eye / aɪ/ noun

1. another word for nye