glasses
A1Neutral, standard. Universally used across formal and informal contexts.
Definition
Meaning
A pair of lenses in a frame, worn in front of the eyes to correct vision or protect them.
Any object or device with two lenses or transparent parts, such as binoculars or a telescope; or the concept of visual aid and correction.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
Grammatically plural; used with plural verbs and pronouns. Refers to a single item (a pair).
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
UK 'glasses' is most common. US uses 'glasses' and 'eyeglasses' (slightly more formal). 'Spectacles' is formal in both.
Connotations
Both neutral. 'Spectacles' may sound dated or technical. 'Eyeglasses' (US) can imply a specific, often stylish, product category.
Frequency
'Glasses' is dominant in daily speech in both regions.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
[subject] wears glasses.[subject] needs glasses.[subject] is looking for [possessive] glasses.[subject] put on/took off [possessive] glasses.Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “see the world through rose-coloured glasses”
- “look at/see something through someone else's glasses (rare)”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
An optician recommended new prescription glasses.
Academic
The study examined the effect of blue-light-filtering glasses on sleep.
Everyday
I can't read the menu without my glasses.
Technical
The patient's intraocular pressure was measured before and after donning the gonioscopy glasses.
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- He carefully glassed the specimen for microscopic analysis.
American English
- The hunter glassed the valley for any movement.
adjective
British English
- The glasses case was left on the train.
American English
- She went to the glasses store for an adjustment.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- I wear glasses to read.
- Her new glasses are blue.
- He realised he had forgotten his glasses at home.
- These glasses have an anti-reflective coating.
- Despite wearing strong glasses, his vision remained blurry at a distance.
- She peered over the top of her glasses to give me a stern look.
- The advent of photochromic glasses revolutionised the need for separate prescription sunglasses.
- His critique was sharp, as if he viewed the policy proposal through a particularly unforgiving set of intellectual glasses.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Glass in front of your eyes helps you see, and you have two eyes, so it's glasses (plural).
Conceptual Metaphor
GLASSES ARE A TOOL FOR PERCEPTION (e.g., 'look at it through the glasses of history').
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Avoid translating 'очки' as 'points'.
- Do not use the singular 'glass' for this meaning.
- Note the plural verb agreement: 'My glasses are on the table.' (NOT 'is')
Common Mistakes
- *I need a glasses. (Correct: a pair of glasses/I need glasses.)
- *My glass is broken. (Correct: My glasses are broken.)
- *He wears glass. (Correct: He wears glasses.)
Practice
Quiz
Which sentence is grammatically correct?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
It is grammatically plural ('My glasses are...'), but refers to a single item. You say 'a pair of glasses' to quantify it.
'Glasses' is the common, everyday word. 'Spectacles' is more formal and somewhat old-fashioned, often used in medical/optical contexts.
It is understood but sounds distinctly American. In British English, 'glasses' is the standard term.
You can say 'I think I need glasses' or 'The optician said I need to wear glasses.'
Collections
Part of a collection
Colors and Clothes
A1 · 45 words · Colors and common items of clothing.