eye
EYE
Eye (noun) means the organ of sight in humans and animals. Example: “A speck of dust blew into my eye and made it water.”
noun
1
The organ of sight in humans and animals.
"A speck of dust blew into my eye and made it water."
"She has striking green eyes."
"He rubbed his eyes after staring at the screen for hours."
2
The ability to judge or notice something skilfully.
"He has a good eye for bargains at the market."
"A trained eye can spot a fake painting very quickly."
"She has a great eye for design."
3
The calm centre of a storm, especially a hurricane.
"Inside the eye of the hurricane, the sky was surprisingly clear."
"Sailors say the wind drops completely once the ship reaches the eye."
"The town fell eerily quiet as the eye of the storm passed over."
verb
1
To look at someone or something carefully, often with suspicion or interest.
"The cat eyed the goldfish bowl with great interest."
"He eyed the last slice of cake hungrily."
"The security guard eyed the visitors as they walked in."
How to use eye
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishThe organ used for seeing, or a skilled sense of judgement — plus a verb meaning to look at closely.
Easily confused with
Common pairings
an eye for detail
keep an eye on
catch someone's eye
the eye of the storm
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Word forms
- Plural
- eyes
- Third person singular
- eyes
- Past tense
- eyed
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
A speck of dust blew into my _____ and made it water.
Etymology
From Old English ēage, tracing back to Proto-Indo-European roots meaning "to see" — related to "ogle" and, further back, to Latin oculus.
Related words
Rhymes for eye
See all rhymes for eye →Frequently asked questions
What does “eye” mean?
The word “eye” means the organ of sight in humans and animals. In plain terms, the organ used for seeing, or a skilled sense of judgement — plus a verb meaning to look at closely.
How do you pronounce “eye”?
“Eye” is pronounced EYE (/ˈaɪ̯/ in IPA).
How do you use “eye” in a sentence?
Here is “eye” used in a sentence: “She has striking green eyes.”
What is another word for “eye”?
Words with a similar meaning to “eye” include eyeball, glim, globe, lurk, mince pie and ogle.
What part of speech is “eye”?
Depending on how it is used, “eye” can be a noun and a verb.
Where does the word “eye” come from?
The word “eye” comes from Latin. From Old English ēage, tracing back to Proto-Indo-European roots meaning "to see" — related to "ogle" and, further back, to Latin oculus.
Is “eye” a common word?
“Eye” is a very common word in modern English, usually learned at around the A1 level.
How many meanings does “eye” have?
“Eye” has 4 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: the organ of sight in humans and animals.
What are the main parts of the eye?
Key parts include the cornea and lens, which focus light; the iris, the coloured ring that controls how much light enters; the pupil, the dark opening at its centre; and the retina at the back, which turns light into signals sent along the optic nerve to the brain.
How does the human eye work?
Light enters through the cornea and pupil, and the lens focuses it onto the retina at the back of the eye. Light-sensitive cells there convert the image into electrical signals, which travel along the optic nerve to the brain. The brain then interprets these signals as the picture you see.
What does 'eye' mean in expressions like 'an eye for detail'?
Figuratively, eye often means judgement, attention, or taste. An eye for detail means a talent for noticing small things; keep an eye on means to watch; see eye to eye means to agree. These phrases build on the eye's role in seeing and paying attention.
Do all animals have eyes like humans?
No. While many animals share the basic camera-like eye, designs vary widely. Insects have compound eyes made of many tiny units, giving a mosaic view. Some creatures see colours humans cannot, others detect only light and shade, and a few deep-sea and cave animals have almost no eyes at all.
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