eyeful
A1Pronunciation
UK
- /ˈaɪfəl/
US
- /ˈaɪfəl/
Description
- A striking sight
- something impressive to look at
- a pleasing view
- a shocking sight
An "eyeful" is something that is very noticeable to look at. It often means something attractive, impressive, or striking, such as a breathtaking sunset, a dazzling stage performance, or a very good-looking person. The word usually suggests a strong visual impression that catches your attention right away.
It can also have a playful or slightly scandalous tone. If someone says you "got an eyeful," they may mean you saw more of someone's body than expected, or saw something bold and hard to ignore. The word is about strong visual impact and the clear impression it leaves behind.
The word "eyeful" describes something that makes a strong impression on the eyes. Most often, it means a sight that is especially attractive, impressive, or striking. A beautiful landscape, a brilliant costume, a dramatic performance, or a very attractive person can all be called an eyeful.
The word is common in informal English and often appears in phrases such as "get an eyeful" or "have an eyeful." In these cases, it often refers to seeing something suddenly and clearly. You might get an eyeful of fireworks, an elaborate shop window, or a celebrity stepping out of a car. The idea is that the sight is vivid enough to grab your attention at once.
However, the word is not always purely positive. It can also suggest something shocking, revealing, or a little embarrassing to see. If a person says they "got an eyeful," they may mean they accidentally saw someone partly undressed or noticed something daring that stood out immediately. In that sense, the word can carry a playful, cheeky, or slightly scandalous tone.
Overall, "eyeful" is used for something that strongly catches the eye, whether because it is beautiful, dramatic, unusual, or revealing. It is a lively, informal word for a sight that is hard to miss and easy to remember.
Examples
- 1
Scenic view
From the hotel balcony, the harbor at sunset was an eyeful.
- 2
Striking appearance
She arrived in a sequined silver dress and was quite an eyeful.
Phrase
quite an eyeful
very striking to look at
- 3
Sudden view
Reporters got an eyeful of the damage when the floodwater went down.
Pattern
get an eyeful of + thing
see a lot of it clearly, often suddenly
Forms and spellings
3 forms open this card.
Main spelling
- eyefulnoun
Forms
- eyefulspluralnoun
- eyesfulpluralnoun