contact lens: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
B1Neutral (common in both everyday and technical contexts)
Quick answer
What does “contact lens” mean?
A thin corrective or cosmetic lens placed directly on the surface of the eye.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A thin corrective or cosmetic lens placed directly on the surface of the eye.
A transparent, convex lens that floats on the tear film covering the cornea to correct refractive errors or change the eye's appearance.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant lexical difference. 'Contacts' is a common informal shortening in both varieties.
Connotations
Neutral. Implies modern vision correction alternative to glasses.
Frequency
Equally common in both varieties.
Grammar
How to Use “contact lens” in a Sentence
VERB + contact lens(es): wear/use/insert/remove/cleanADJECTIVE + contact lens(es): soft/daily/disposable/cosmetic/prostheticVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “contact lens” in a Sentence
adjective
British English
- She had a contact lens appointment.
- The contact lens market is growing.
American English
- He bought contact lens solution.
- Contact lens technology has improved.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Optical retail, sales of vision correction products.
Academic
Optometry, ophthalmology, materials science.
Everyday
Discussing personal vision correction, eye care routines.
Technical
Specifying lens parameters (e.g., base curve, diameter, water content).
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “contact lens”
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “contact lens”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “contact lens”
- Using singular 'contact lens' when referring to the general concept or a pair (prefer plural).
- Misspelling as 'contactlens' (two words).
- Confusing 'lens' (singular) with 'lenses' (plural).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Two words. The hyphenated form 'contact-lens' (as an adjective) is less common but occasionally seen.
No. You cannot 'contact lens' something. The related action is 'to fit (someone) with contact lenses'.
In context, 'lenses' can refer to contact lenses, but it can also refer to camera lenses, eyeglass lenses, etc. 'Contact lenses' is specific.
'A contact lens'. However, because they are typically used as a pair, the plural 'contact lenses' is far more frequent in general discourse.
A thin corrective or cosmetic lens placed directly on the surface of the eye.
Contact lens is usually neutral (common in both everyday and technical contexts) in register.
Contact lens: in British English it is pronounced /ˈkɒn.tækt ˌlenz/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈkɑːn.tækt ˌlenz/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: 'contact' = touches your eye directly, unlike glasses.
Conceptual Metaphor
EYES ARE WINDOWS (contact lenses are like clear, corrective panes for those windows).
Practice
Quiz
What is a common action associated with contact lenses?