eyebrow
HighNeutral (used in all registers from informal to formal)
Definition
Meaning
the strip of hair that grows along the ridge of bone above each eye socket.
The word can also refer to the shape, position, or expression of these hairs, often used to indicate emotion or expression. In architecture, 'eyebrow' refers to a dormer window with a low, curving roof.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
Typically used as a singular countable noun, but often appears in the plural ('eyebrows') when referring to both. The primary meaning is anatomical, but it is strongly associated with facial expression and nonverbal communication (e.g., raising an eyebrow in surprise).
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant differences in meaning or primary usage. Minor potential differences in collocational frequency (e.g., 'eyebrow shaping' vs. 'eyebrow grooming') are stylistic, not systematic.
Connotations
Identical connotations in both dialects.
Frequency
Equally common and high-frequency in both dialects.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
raise + POSSESSIVE + eyebrow(s)pluck + POSSESSIVE + eyebrow(s)shape + POSSESSIVE + eyebrow(s)draw on + POSSESSIVE + eyebrow(s)eyebrow + is/are + ADJECTIVE (e.g., raised, furrowed)Vocabulary
Synonyms
Neutral
Weak
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “raise eyebrows”
- “be up to your eyebrows in something”
- “eyebrow-raising”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Rare, except in metaphorical use: 'The CEO's sudden resignation raised a few eyebrows among the investors.'
Academic
Used in anatomy, anthropology (studying facial structure), and art history (analysis of portraiture).
Everyday
Extremely common in contexts of appearance, grooming, and facial expression.
Technical
Used in anatomy (muscles: corrugator supercilii, orbicularis oculi), cosmetics, and plastic surgery.
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- The news made him eyebrow the proposal with considerable scepticism. (rare, stylised use)
- She expertly eyebrowed her face for the stage production. (very rare, non-standard)
American English
- The columnist eyebrowed the politician's latest gaffe. (rare, journalistic)
- He eyebrowed a question in my direction. (rare, figurative)
adverb
British English
- (No standard adverbial form. Potential non-standard creative use: 'He looked at her eyebrow-ly.')
American English
- (No standard adverbial form. Potential non-standard creative use: 'She raised one brow eyebrow-ishly.')
adjective
British English
- She had an eyebrow-raising encounter at the market.
- The salon offers expert eyebrow-shaping services.
American English
- It was a real eyebrow-raiser of a headline.
- He went to an eyebrow specialist for microblading.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- She has dark eyebrows.
- My brother can raise one eyebrow.
- I need to pluck my eyebrows; they look untidy.
- The teacher raised an eyebrow when I gave my excuse.
- Her perfectly arched eyebrows frame her face beautifully.
- The minister's comments caused many raised eyebrows at the conference.
- Anthropologists study the supraorbital ridge, the bone underlying the eyebrow, in human fossils.
- The novel's eyebrow-raising plot twist divided critics and readers alike.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of the word 'eye' and the word 'brow' (forehead). The hair is on the 'brow' above the 'eye'.
Conceptual Metaphor
EYEBROWS ARE INDICATORS OF EMOTION/THOUGHT (e.g., 'His eyebrows shot up in surprise').
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Russian 'бровь' (brov') is a singular form that can refer to one or both eyebrows, requiring careful attention to plural/singular context in English.
- The English idiom 'raise eyebrows' is specific; a direct translation might not convey the meaning of causing mild surprise or disapproval.
Common Mistakes
- Using uncountable form (e.g., 'she has nice eyebrow') instead of plural 'eyebrows' or singular with article 'an eyebrow'.
- Misspelling as 'eyebrown' (confusion with 'brown').
Practice
Quiz
What is the most common metaphorical meaning of the phrase 'to raise eyebrows'?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, it is a countable noun. The singular is 'an eyebrow', and the plural is 'eyebrows'.
It means to be very busy or deeply involved in something, often to the point of being overwhelmed (e.g., 'I'm up to my eyebrows in paperwork').
'Brow' is a more general, slightly poetic term that can mean the forehead or the eyebrow ridge. 'Eyebrow' is more specific and common, referring specifically to the hair and the ridge above the eye.
In standard usage, 'eyebrow' is a noun. Using it as a verb (e.g., 'to eyebrow something') is very rare, stylised, and not considered standard English. It might be found in creative writing or journalism to mean 'to express surprise or scepticism about'.