noun Uncommon

eyeball

EYE-bawl

Eyeball (noun) means the ball-shaped part of the eye inside the socket. Example: “The optician examined her eyeball closely with a bright light.”

noun

The ball-shaped part of the eye inside the socket.

"The optician examined her eyeball closely with a bright light."

Informal: a viewer or reader, counted as part of an audience.

"The ad campaign was designed to grab as many eyeballs as possible."

verb

To estimate or judge something roughly by looking, rather than measuring precisely.

"I just eyeballed the amount of flour instead of weighing it."

To stare at someone intently, often with suspicion.

"The two rivals eyeballed each other across the room."

How to use eyeball

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishThe round part of the eye, or (informally) to estimate something by sight, or to stare hard at someone.

When to use it

"Eyeball" as a verb for estimating or staring is informal.

Common pairings

eyeball an amount grab eyeballs eyeball someone

Word forms

eyeballed past tense, eyeballs plural, eyeballs singular

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The optician examined her _____ closely with a bright light.

Etymology

A straightforward compound of "eye" + "ball," describing the round shape of the organ.

Synonyms

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eye-apple

Rhymes for eyeball

fireball baseball curveball dodgeball slimeball

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Frequently asked questions

What does “eyeball” mean?

The word “eyeball” means the ball-shaped part of the eye inside the socket. In plain terms, the round part of the eye, or (informally) to estimate something by sight, or to stare hard at someone.

How do you pronounce “eyeball”?

“Eyeball” is pronounced EYE-bawl (/ˈaɪ.bɔl/ in IPA).

How do you use “eyeball” in a sentence?

Here is “eyeball” used in a sentence: “The optician examined her eyeball closely with a bright light.”

What is another word for “eyeball”?

Words with a similar meaning to “eyeball” include eye-apple.

What part of speech is “eyeball”?

Depending on how it is used, “eyeball” can be a noun and a verb.

Is “eyeball” a common word?

“Eyeball” is an uncommon word in modern English.

How many meanings does “eyeball” have?

“Eyeball” has 4 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: the ball-shaped part of the eye inside the socket.