eyelid
B1Neutral to formal; common in everyday, medical, and literary contexts.
Definition
Meaning
The thin fold of skin that covers and protects the eye, which can be opened and closed.
A metaphorical reference to a thin, movable covering or a minimal amount of sleep (e.g., 'not sleep a wink').
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
Primarily a concrete anatomical term. Its metaphorical use is limited to a few fixed expressions.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant differences in meaning or usage. Spelling is identical.
Connotations
Identical connotations in both varieties.
Frequency
Equally common in both British and American English.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
the [ADJ] eyelid[VERB] one's eyelid[PREP] the eyelidVocabulary
Synonyms
Neutral
Weak
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “not bat an eyelid”
- “in the blink of an eyelid”
- “hang on by one's eyelids”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Rare, except in metaphorical idioms describing reactions (e.g., 'The market fell and he didn't bat an eyelid').
Academic
Common in biological, anatomical, and medical texts.
Everyday
Common when discussing appearance, tiredness, or minor injuries.
Technical
Standard term in ophthalmology and anatomy.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- She has blue eyeshadow on her eyelid.
- My eyelid is itchy.
- He didn't bat an eyelid when he heard the surprising news.
- The doctor examined my swollen eyelid.
- A slight tremor in his eyelid was the only sign of his nervousness.
- The cosmetic procedure involved tightening the upper eyelid.
- The model's heavily hooded eyelids gave her a perpetually sultry look.
- Not a single eyelid fluttered in the audience as the shocking verdict was read.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of 'eye' + 'lid' – it's the lid for your eye, just like a lid on a jar.
Conceptual Metaphor
EYELIDS ARE COVERS/SHIELDS; EYELID MOVEMENT IS A SIGNAL (of emotion or reaction).
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Avoid direct calque 'глазная крышка'. The correct equivalent is 'веко'.
Common Mistakes
- Misspelling as 'eyelid' (one word, not 'eye lid').
- Using 'eyebrow' instead of 'eyelid'.
Practice
Quiz
What does the idiom 'not bat an eyelid' mean?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
It is one word: 'eyelid'.
To protect the eye from debris, spread tears, and regulate light entry.
No, 'eyelid' is solely a noun. The related action is 'blink' or 'close one's eyes'.
The eyelid is the fold of skin itself. Eyelashes are the hairs that grow on the edge of the eyelid.