eye
/aɪ/ IELTSAcademic
noun
- 1.
The part of the body that you use for seeing. It takes in light and sends visual information to the brain.
- She opened her eyes slowly.
- My eye hurts in bright light.
- 2.
The ability to notice or judge something carefully. It is often used in phrases about style, detail, or good taste.
- She has an eye for design.
- The editor has a sharp eye for mistakes.
- 3.
A hole, loop, or opening in an object. This is common in fixed phrases like the eye of a needle.
- Thread the string through the eye.
- The key fits in the eye of the lock.
Adinary Nuance
Eye is the body part, but it can also mean careful attention or good taste. It is more natural than look when you mean an ability, as in “an eye for detail.” It is also more specific than vision, which often refers to sight in general or a larger idea.
In other languages
- Vietnamese
- mắt
- Spanish
- ojo
- Chinese
- 眼睛
- Japanese
- 目
- Korean
- 눈
Etymology
Old English ēage, from a Germanic root. It has been used in English since before the 1100s.
Common phrases
keep an eye onan eye for detailthe eye of a needlea sore eye
Synonyms
Related words
Frequently asked questions
- Is eye a common word in English?
- Yes, it is a very common everyday word.
- What is the difference between eye and vision?
- Eye is the body part. Vision is the ability to see, or a broader idea.
- Can I say 'an eye for detail'?
- Yes. It means someone notices small details well.
- Is eye used in business writing?
- Yes, especially in phrases like 'an eye for detail' or 'keep an eye on'.