eyeglass
Low-FrequencyFormal/Technical/Historical
Definition
Meaning
A single lens for correcting vision, held in the hand or attached to a frame (monocle) or worn on a chain.
Sometimes used as a synonym for 'spectacles' or 'eyeglasses' (plural) in American English, though less common. Also refers to a simple magnifying lens (hand lens).
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
"Eyeglass" in the singular most commonly refers to a single corrective lens (e.g., a monocle, lorgnette lens, or jeweller's loupe). Its plural form "eyeglasses" is synonymous with "spectacles" or "glasses" in American English, but the singular form is rarely used for a pair.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
In British English, 'eyeglass' is almost exclusively used for a single lens (monocle, loupe). In American English, 'eyeglasses' (plural) is a common, slightly formal term for spectacles; the singular 'eyeglass' for a pair is rare and potentially confusing.
Connotations
UK: Technical, historical, or referring to specific single-lens devices. US: Can be a formal or professional term for vision-correcting spectacles (plural). The singular often retains the single-lens meaning.
Frequency
Much less common than 'glasses' or 'spectacles' in both varieties. 'Eyeglasses' has moderate frequency in formal US contexts (e.g., optometry).
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
use [an eyeglass] to examine [sth][Subject] peered through [his/her eyeglass] at [object][Subject] adjusted [his/her eyeglass]Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “None specific”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Rare; might appear in optometry (US: 'eyeglasses prescription').
Academic
Used in history (e.g., '18th-century eyeglass'), optics, or gemology ('jeweller's eyeglass').
Everyday
Very rare in singular; 'glasses' is universal. Potential for misunderstanding.
Technical
Precise term for a single-lens optical device, especially a loupe in watchmaking, gemology, or philately.
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- He eyeglassed the tiny inscription carefully.
- The detective eyeglassed the clue, a single fibre.
American English
- The jeweller eyeglassed the diamond for flaws.
- She eyeglassed the antique map's details.
adjective
British English
- The eyeglass lens was ground to perfection.
- An eyeglass prescription for one eye only.
American English
- An eyeglass case designed for a monocle.
- The eyeglass frame was vintage gold.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- He has an eyeglass for his right eye.
- She used an eyeglass to see the small bug.
- The watchmaker examined the mechanism with a jeweller's eyeglass.
- In old portraits, some gentlemen hold a single eyeglass.
- The singular 'eyeglass' should not be confused with 'eyeglasses', which refers to a complete pair of spectacles.
- He produced a folding eyeglass from his waistcoat pocket to read the menu.
- Philanthropist's bequest included a collection of historical eyeglasses and several ornate single eyeglasses from the 19th century.
- The optician explained that anisometropia might sometimes be corrected with a contact lens in one eye and an eyeglass for the other.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: EYE + GLASS (singular). One GLASS for one EYE. Like a monocle.
Conceptual Metaphor
TOOL FOR SEEING / WINDOW TO CLARITY (shared with glasses, telescope).
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Avoid translating 'очки' (spectacles) as 'eyeglass' (singular). The correct term is 'eyeglasses' or 'glasses'. 'Eyeglass' singular would be 'монокль' or 'лупа'.
Common Mistakes
- Using 'eyeglass' to mean a pair of spectacles (e.g., 'I need an eyeglass' is incorrect). Confusing 'eyeglass' with 'eyeglasses'.
Practice
Quiz
Which sentence uses 'eyeglass' correctly?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No. In correct usage, 'eyeglass' (singular) refers to a single lens. 'Glasses' or 'eyeglasses' (plural) refer to the pair worn on the face.
No, this would be confusing and incorrect. You should say 'a pair of glasses' or 'eyeglasses'.
Primarily in technical fields like jewellery, watchmaking, and stamp collecting (as 'loupe'), and in historical contexts referring to devices like monocles.
A monocle is a specific type of eyeglass designed to be held in the eye socket, often associated with aristocracy. 'Eyeglass' is a broader term that includes monocles, loupes, and any single corrective lens.