spyglass: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
LowFormal, Literary, Historical
Quick answer
What does “spyglass” mean?
A small, portable telescope used for viewing distant objects.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A small, portable telescope used for viewing distant objects.
A handheld optical instrument, typically consisting of a single drawtube or a short telescope, historically associated with maritime use, exploration, or observation from a concealed position.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in meaning or usage. The word is equally archaic/formal in both varieties.
Connotations
Connotes adventure, history, piracy, and the Age of Sail equally in both BrE and AmE.
Frequency
Extremely low frequency in contemporary speech in both regions, primarily found in historical fiction, nautical contexts, or as a deliberate archaism.
Grammar
How to Use “spyglass” in a Sentence
[Subject] peered through the spyglass.[Subject] used a spyglass to [verb] [object].He looked at the ship through his spyglass.Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “spyglass” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The lookout was ordered to spyglass the horizon for any sign of land.
American English
- The scout spyglassed the valley from the ridge.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Virtually never used.
Academic
Used in historical, maritime, or literary studies to describe period technology.
Everyday
Extremely rare; would sound deliberately old-fashioned or theatrical.
Technical
May appear in discussions of historical optics or antique collecting.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “spyglass”
Strong
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “spyglass”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “spyglass”
- Using 'spyglass' to refer to modern binoculars or large astronomical telescopes.
- Pronouncing it as /ˈspiːɡlæs/ (like 'spee').
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No. A spyglass is a single-tube telescope, while binoculars use two parallel telescopes, one for each eye.
Yes, but it is very rare and archaic. It means to observe with or as if with a spyglass.
No, it is a low-frequency word primarily used in historical, literary, or specific nautical contexts.
A spyglass is a type of small, portable, often single-draw telescope, typically associated with terrestrial viewing (e.g., from a ship). 'Telescope' is the broader term encompassing all such optical instruments, including large astronomical ones.
A small, portable telescope used for viewing distant objects.
Spyglass is usually formal, literary, historical in register.
Spyglass: in British English it is pronounced /ˈspaɪɡlɑːs/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈspaɪˌɡlæs/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “Spyglass diplomacy (historical, rare: conducting negotiations while observing from a distance).”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
A SPY uses a GLASS to see far away. Spy + Glass = Spyglass.
Conceptual Metaphor
VISION IS REACHING (extending one's sight to distant objects).
Practice
Quiz
In which context would the word 'spyglass' be MOST naturally used today?