sunglasses
A1Informal to neutral; universally understood in everyday contexts.
Definition
Meaning
A pair of protective eyeglasses with tinted or polarised lenses to shield the eyes from bright sunlight and UV rays.
Often used as a fashion accessory; also used metaphorically to imply an attitude of coolness, detachment, or hiding one's eyes/emotions.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
Always plural in form ('a pair of sunglasses'). Refers to the object as a whole unit. The singular 'sunglass' is obsolete/non-standard.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant lexical difference. 'Shades' is a common informal synonym in both, perhaps slightly more prevalent in AmE.
Connotations
In both, carries connotations of leisure, summer, fashion, and sometimes celebrity culture or 'cool' anonymity.
Frequency
Equally common in both varieties.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
[Subject] + wear + sunglasses[Subject] + put on/take off + [possessive] + sunglasses[Subject] + lost + [possessive] + sunglassesVocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “Rose-tinted sunglasses (variation of 'rose-tinted spectacles')”
- “To look at the world through one's sunglasses (metaphor for a particular attitude/perception)”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Rare, except in retail (sunglasses sales/marketing) or health & safety (UV protection for outdoor workers).
Academic
Rare, except in papers on optometry, dermatology (sun protection), or material science (lens technology).
Everyday
Extremely common, especially in warm weather contexts, travel, and fashion.
Technical
Used in optics (lens coatings, polarization), dermatology (photoprotection), and sportswear design.
Examples
By Part of Speech
noun
British English
- I need to buy a new pair of sunglasses before our holiday to Spain.
- Her oversized sunglasses were very chic.
American English
- I lost my sunglasses at the beach yesterday.
- He always wears his sunglasses, even indoors.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- It's sunny. I will wear my sunglasses.
- I like your blue sunglasses.
- You should wear sunglasses to protect your eyes from UV rays.
- She searched her bag but couldn't find her sunglasses.
- Despite the overcast sky, he kept his sunglasses on, maintaining an air of inscrutability.
- Polarised sunglasses significantly reduce glare from reflective surfaces like water.
- The celebrity's choice of vintage sunglasses sparked a new trend in avant-garde fashion.
- The study concluded that consistent use of quality sunglasses can help prevent certain ocular pathologies.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
SUN + GLASSES: Glasses you wear when the SUN is bright.
Conceptual Metaphor
SUNGLASSES ARE A SHIELD/SHELTER (from light, attention, scrutiny). SUNGLASSES ARE A MASK (hiding identity or emotion).
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Avoid direct calque 'солнечные очки' as a singular unit; remember it's always plural in English: 'sunglasses are...', 'these sunglasses...'.
- Do not use 'sun glasses' as two separate words in formal writing; it's a closed compound.
Common Mistakes
- Using singular 'sunglass' (incorrect).
- Using incorrect verb agreement: 'My sunglasses is...' instead of 'My sunglasses are...'.
- Misspelling as 'sun glasses' (though sometimes accepted, compound is standard).
Practice
Quiz
Which sentence is grammatically correct?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
It is a plural noun. We say 'These sunglasses are...' and 'a pair of sunglasses'.
'Shades' is a very common, casual synonym for 'sunglasses'. 'Sunglasses' is the standard, neutral term.
It is sometimes seen, but the standard, recommended spelling is the closed compound 'sunglasses'.
The difference lies in the vowel of the second syllable: British English uses the long /ɑː/ sound (as in 'father'), while American English uses the short /æ/ sound (as in 'cat').
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