bedroom eyes: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C2Informal, colloquial, sometimes humorous.
Quick answer
What does “bedroom eyes” mean?
A seductive, half-closed, or sleepy-looking gaze that suggests intimacy.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A seductive, half-closed, or sleepy-looking gaze that suggests intimacy.
A particular manner of looking at someone that is sexually alluring, often characterized by heavy-lidded eyes or a dreamy expression.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in meaning. Both varieties use the idiom.
Connotations
Connotations are identical—suggestive, flirtatious, intimate.
Frequency
Slightly more common in American popular media (film, music, magazines), but well-understood in the UK.
Grammar
How to Use “bedroom eyes” in a Sentence
SUBJ have/get bedroom eyesSUBJ give OBJ bedroom eyesPREP with bedroom eyesVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “bedroom eyes” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- N/A
American English
- N/A
adverb
British English
- N/A
American English
- N/A
adjective
British English
- He gave her that classic bedroom-eyes look.
American English
- She had a bedroom-eyes expression that was hard to ignore.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Almost never used; highly inappropriate.
Academic
Not used, except perhaps in cultural or film studies discussing representation.
Everyday
Used in informal conversation, often humorously or admiringly.
Technical
Not used in technical contexts.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “bedroom eyes”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “bedroom eyes”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “bedroom eyes”
- Using it to describe literally sleepy eyes (after waking up).
- Using it in formal contexts.
- Treating 'eyes' as singular (e.g., 'a bedroom eye').
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Absolutely, the idiom is used for people of any gender.
It can be, depending on context and relationship. It's a comment on someone's sexual allure, so it may be inappropriate or objectifying in some situations.
Not always. Some people are described as naturally having bedroom eyes without consciously trying.
'Puppy dog eyes' is an innocent, sad, or pleading look to gain sympathy. 'Bedroom eyes' is a sexually suggestive look.
A seductive, half-closed, or sleepy-looking gaze that suggests intimacy.
Bedroom eyes is usually informal, colloquial, sometimes humorous. in register.
Bedroom eyes: in British English it is pronounced /ˈbedruːm ˌaɪz/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈbɛdˌrum ˌaɪz/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “come-hither look”
- “make eyes at someone”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine someone looking at you as if you're both already in the bedroom.
Conceptual Metaphor
THE EYES ARE A SEDUCTIVE SPACE (the bedroom).
Practice
Quiz
In which context would 'bedroom eyes' be MOST appropriate?