English dictionary, thesaurus, translations & etymology

adjective

bespectacled

bih-SPEK-tuh-kuld

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Bespectacled (adjective) means wearing glasses. Example: “The bespectacled man behind the counter squinted at the receipt.”

adjective

1

Wearing glasses.

"The bespectacled man behind the counter squinted at the receipt."

"She looked older and more bespectacled in her graduation photo."

"A bespectacled boy sat at the front of the class, taking notes."

How to use bespectacled

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishA slightly formal way of saying someone wears glasses.

When to use it

It is a descriptive, somewhat literary word rather than everyday conversational English.

Memory tip

Use it as an adjective before a noun, as in 'a bespectacled teacher', not as a verb.

Trace the full origin ↓

Common pairings

bespectacled man bespectacled face bespectacled figure bespectacled professor

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C2 · Advanced serendipity Fortunate discoveries made entirely by accident.

Gen Z slang rizz Charm — the ability to attract a romantic interest.

B2 · Intermediate empathy The capacity to share another person’s feelings.

C1 · Advanced nonchalant Casually calm and relaxed; unconcerned.

Internet slang delulu Delusional — believing something against the odds.

Etymology nostalgia Greek nostos “return home” + algos “pain”.

C2 · Advanced serendipity Fortunate discoveries made entirely by accident.

Gen Z slang rizz Charm — the ability to attract a romantic interest.

B2 · Intermediate empathy The capacity to share another person’s feelings.

C1 · Advanced nonchalant Casually calm and relaxed; unconcerned.

Internet slang delulu Delusional — believing something against the odds.

Etymology nostalgia Greek nostos “return home” + algos “pain”.

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Can you complete this real example?

The _____ man behind the counter squinted at the receipt.

Etymology

Bespectacled was formed within English by adding the prefix be- and the suffix -ed to spectacle, the word for an eyeglass lens. The be- prefix here works much as it does in words like bejewelled, turning the noun into a description of someone fitted out with the thing named.

Origin: English

Synonyms

spectacled

Frequently asked questions

What does bespectacled mean?

It simply means wearing glasses. It is usually used to describe someone's appearance, often with a slightly old-fashioned or formal tone.

Is bespectacled a formal word?

It reads as a little literary or old-fashioned compared with plain phrases like 'wears glasses', which is why it turns up more in descriptive writing than everyday speech.

Can bespectacled be used for any kind of glasses?

Yes, it covers ordinary spectacles generally, without specifying a particular style or type.

What is the meaning of bespectacled?

"bespectacled" (adjective) means wearing glasses.