adjective

short sighted

shawt-SY-tid

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Short sighted (adjective) means Unable to see distant objects clearly, so that things far away appear blurred while close-up things stay sharp. Example: “She has been short sighted since she was nine and cannot read road signs without her glasses.”

adjective

Unable to see distant objects clearly, so that things far away appear blurred while close-up things stay sharp.

"She has been short sighted since she was nine and cannot read road signs without her glasses."

Concerned only with immediate results and failing to allow for what will happen later.

"Cutting the training budget to hit this quarter's target was short sighted."

"A short sighted policy that saved money now and cost far more in ten years."

How to use short sighted

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishEither you cannot see far away, or you are not thinking far ahead.

When to use it

Usually written short-sighted with a hyphen in British English, and often shortsighted as one word in American English. Doctors say myopic.

Memory tip

Short-sighted people see short distances well. Long-sighted people see long distances well. The name describes what you CAN see, not what you cannot.

Trace the full origin ↓

Easily confused with

long-sighted near-sighted myopic →

Common pairings

short-sighted decision short-sighted policy badly short-sighted short-sighted approach

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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”.

Test yourself on “short sighted” A quick quiz — meaning, synonyms & usage →

Fill the gap

Can you complete this real example?

She has been _____ since she was nine and cannot read road signs without her glasses.

Etymology

A compound of short and sighted, first describing limited physical vision and later extended to limited foresight.

Origin: English

Synonyms

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myopic near-sighted nearsighted imprudent unimaginative narrow

Antonyms

long-sighted far-sighted visionary prudent

Related words

limited minute wide contract slow creative broad careful

Rhymes for short sighted

lighted sighted weighted blighted delighted farsighted nearsighted copyrighted highlighted

See all rhymes for short sighted →

Frequently asked questions

What is the difference between short sighted and near-sighted?

They mean exactly the same eye condition. Short-sighted is the usual British term and near-sighted the usual American one, while myopic is the clinical word used in both.

What is the difference between short sighted and long sighted?

A short-sighted person sees close objects clearly and distant ones blurred. A long-sighted person is the reverse: distance is comfortable and close work such as reading is blurred or tiring.

Is short sighted hyphenated?

In careful writing, yes: short-sighted. The unhyphenated short sighted is very common in casual use, and Americans often write it closed up as shortsighted.

What is the meaning of short sighted?

"short sighted" (adjective) means unable to see distant objects clearly, so that things far away appear blurred while close-up things stay sharp.

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