crow's-foot: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1Semi-formal, literary, technical.
Quick answer
What does “crow's-foot” mean?
A wrinkle at the outer corner of a person's eye.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A wrinkle at the outer corner of a person's eye.
1. A three-pointed mark or crack resembling a bird's footprint, often used in technical or military contexts. 2. A style of embroidery stitch with radiating threads.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Spelling: UK often uses 'crow's-foot' or 'crow's feet' (plural). US may also use 'crow's foot' without the apostrophe (as a closed compound) in technical contexts. The medical/cosmetic term 'lateral canthal lines' is more common in formal US contexts.
Connotations
Similar in both varieties, though perhaps slightly more poetic/common in UK English.
Frequency
Low frequency in both, but the plural form 'crow's feet' is more common than the singular in everyday language.
Grammar
How to Use “crow's-foot” in a Sentence
[Subject] has/developed crow's-feet.[Cream/Product] reduces the appearance of crow's-feet.The [skin/surface] was marked with a crow's-foot.Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “crow's-foot” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- Her eyes crinkled, beginning to crow's-foot at the corners.
American English
- Years in the sun had crow's-footed the skin around his eyes.
adjective
British English
- She had a gentle, crow's-footed smile.
American English
- The crow's-foot pattern on the map indicated a monument.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Used in marketing for skincare or cosmetic products (e.g., 'targets crow's-feet').
Academic
Rare; replaced by 'rhytides' or 'lateral canthal lines' in dermatology papers.
Everyday
Most common in conversations about aging, appearance, or skincare.
Technical
Used in embroidery, cartography (a symbol), or engineering/cracking patterns.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “crow's-foot”
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “crow's-foot”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “crow's-foot”
- Using singular 'crow's-foot' when referring to both eyes (should be plural 'crow's feet'). Incorrect apostrophe placement: 'crows foot' or 'crows' foot'.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
It is neutral but context-dependent. It can be negative in youth-obsessed beauty contexts, but positive when associated with laughter, wisdom, and experience.
The standard plural is 'crow's feet'. 'Crow's-foots' is incorrect.
Yes, it can refer to a three-pronged embroidery stitch, a surveying/cartographic symbol, or a pattern of cracks in materials.
It is pronounced /ˈkrəʊz fiːt/ (UK) or /ˈkroʊz ˌfiːt/ (US). The 's' in 'crow's' is voiced like a 'z'.
A wrinkle at the outer corner of a person's eye.
Crow's-foot is usually semi-formal, literary, technical. in register.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “A map of crow's-feet (signifying a life of laughter and experience).”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine a crow gently stepping at the corner of your eye, leaving a tiny, three-toed footprint each time you smile.
Conceptual Metaphor
AGING / EXPERIENCE IS A MAP ETCHED ON THE SKIN.
Practice
Quiz
In which context is 'crow's-foot' LEAST likely to be used?