eyeglasses
B1Neutral to formal; 'glasses' is more common in everyday speech.
Definition
Meaning
A pair of lenses set in a frame, worn in front of the eyes to correct vision or protect them.
Can refer metaphorically to the act of seeing or perceiving something clearly, or to a tool for magnification/inspection (e.g., 'reading glasses', 'safety glasses').
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
Primarily used in the plural form. Can imply a specific, often more formal or technical, type of vision-correcting eyewear compared to the more general term 'glasses'.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
In British English, 'glasses' or 'spectacles' are far more common. 'Eyeglasses' is understood but is markedly American. In AmE, 'eyeglasses' is standard, though 'glasses' is also very frequent in informal contexts.
Connotations
In AmE, 'eyeglasses' can sound slightly more formal, technical, or old-fashioned than 'glasses'. In BrE, it sounds distinctly American.
Frequency
High frequency in AmE; low-to-moderate frequency in BrE, where it is a recognized but less-used variant.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
[Subject] + put on/take off + [eyeglasses].[Subject] + wear + [eyeglasses].[Eyeglasses] + correct + [vision/problem].Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “Look at/see through rose-colored eyeglasses (variant of 'rose-colored glasses')”
- “The eyeglasses are on the other nose (humorous play on 'the shoe is on the other foot')”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Used in optometry, retail, and insurance contexts (e.g., 'eyeglasses coverage in your health plan').
Academic
Found in texts on optics, human anatomy, and disability studies.
Everyday
Common in conversations about vision, fashion, and daily routines.
Technical
Used in ophthalmology and opticianry to distinguish from other devices like contact lenses or surgical aids.
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- He was eyeglassed from an early age. (rare, archaic)
American English
- N/A - Not used as a verb in modern AmE.
adjective
British English
- The eyeglass lens was scratched. (attributive use of noun 'eyeglass')
American English
- She had an eyeglasses prescription. (noun used attributively)
Examples
By CEFR Level
- I need new eyeglasses to read the book.
- Her eyeglasses are on the table.
- He forgot his eyeglasses at home and couldn't see the board.
- Do you have an eyeglasses case to keep them safe?
- The optometrist adjusted the frames of my new prescription eyeglasses.
- Modern eyeglasses can be fitted with anti-reflective coatings.
- The historian peered through his antique eyeglasses at the faded manuscript.
- Advancements in lens technology have rendered bifocal eyeglasses nearly obsolete.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: EYE + GLASSES = glass for your eyes. It's a compound word that literally describes its function.
Conceptual Metaphor
EYEGLASSES ARE A TOOL FOR PERCEPTION (e.g., 'He looked at the data with the eyeglasses of an economist').
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Avoid translating as 'глаза стаканы' (literal word-for-word).
- Do not confuse with 'очки' for drinking glasses; context is key for 'очки' meaning eyeglasses.
- In Russian, 'линзы' usually means contact lenses, not the lenses *in* eyeglasses.
Common Mistakes
- Using singular 'eyeglass' (an eyeglass is a monocle).
- Misspelling as 'eye glasses' (should be one word or hyphenated: 'eyeglasses' or 'eye-glasses').
- Using 'eyeglasses' in very casual UK English where 'glasses' is expected.
Practice
Quiz
In which variety of English is 'eyeglasses' the most common standard term?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
It is a plural noun. You refer to 'a pair of eyeglasses' or 'these eyeglasses'. The singular 'eyeglass' refers to a monocle.
In American English, 'eyeglasses' is slightly more formal or specific. 'Glasses' is the common, informal term. In British English, 'glasses' or 'spectacles' are standard; 'eyeglasses' is an Americanism.
No, 'eyeglasses' is not used as a verb in contemporary English. The related archaic term 'eyeglassed' existed but is obsolete.
In American English: /ˈaɪˌɡlæsɪz/ (EYE-glas-iz). In British English: /ˈaɪˌɡlɑːsɪz/ (EYE-glah-siz). The stress is on the first syllable.
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