eyelid
B2Pronunciation
UK
- /ˈaɪlɪd/
US
- /ˈaɪˌlɪd/
Description
- flap of skin over the eye
- eye cover
- part that opens and closes when you blink
Imagine a tiny curtain protecting one of your most precious possessions: your eyes. That is what an eyelid is. It is the thin fold of skin that opens and closes over the eye, helping protect it from dust, bright light, and small injuries. We blink with our eyelids, and that helps keep our eyes moist and clear.
They do more than protect. They also help show feeling. Heavy eyelids can make someone look tired, while quick blinking can suggest nervousness or excitement. In everyday life, people notice these small movements without even thinking about them.
An eyelid is more than just a simple flap of skin; it is an important part of how the eye stays safe and comfortable. It is the movable skin above and below the eye that closes when you blink or sleep. Each time it moves, it helps spread tears across the surface of the eye, which keeps the eye from drying out and helps wash away dust and other tiny particles.
People have an upper and a lower eyelid on each eye. Together with the eyelashes, they act as a first line of protection against dirt, wind, strong light, and anything that might irritate the eye. Eyelids also help control how much light reaches the eye by opening wide or narrowing.
Beyond their practical job, eyelids also play a part in expression. Drooping lids can suggest sleepiness or sadness, while wide-open eyes can show surprise, fear, or strong attention. Because of this, writers and speakers sometimes mention eyelids when describing a person's mood or reaction.
The word can refer to the body part itself or to the way it moves: someone may lower their eyelids, rub an eyelid, or feel an eyelid twitch. If the eyelids become swollen, sore, or droopy, they can affect comfort and sometimes vision. In a simple way, the eyelid is a small moving cover that protects the eye, keeps it wet, and quietly helps show what a person feels.
Examples
- 1
Minor injury
She had a small cut on her upper eyelid.
- 2
Tiredness
By midnight, my eyelids were so heavy that I could hardly stay awake.
Phrase
heavy eyelids
a tired feeling that makes it hard to keep your eyes open
- 3
Stress reaction
Stress sometimes makes his left eyelid twitch.
Forms and spellings
2 forms open this card.
Main spelling
- eyelidnoun
Forms
- eyelidspluralnoun