eyeball

[ ahy-bawl ]

noun

1. the ball or globe of the eye.
2. eyeballs, Informal. people who view or read something:

   Old TV shows are getting a lot of eyeballs online.

verb (used with object)

1. Informal. to look at, check, or observe closely:

   two opponents eyeballing each other.

eyeball

/ ˈaɪˌbɔːl /

noun

1. the entire ball-shaped part of the eye
2. eyeball to eyeball
   in close confrontation

verb

1. slang.
   tr to stare at

Other Words From

• eyeballer noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of eyeball¹

1580–90; 1900–05 eyeball fordef 3; eye + ball ¹

Idioms and Phrases

Idioms

1. give (someone) the hairy eyeball, Slang. to look at (someone) with eyelids partly lowered, as in hostility or distrust.

Example Sentences

All of these will contribute because it’s going to get money in the sport, it’s going to put new eyeballs on the sport, it’s going to get new fans.”

From Los Angeles Times

Live events are crucial for drawing millions of eyeballs at once, which is what advertisers want.

From Los Angeles Times

"Sliced up eyeballs" and "goats of lust" aren't traditionally the sort of images that help your toddler drift off to sleep.

From BBC

“This is the most viewed show on earth, and the eyeballs that you're going to get… is second to none.”

From BBC

If you are not used to eyeballing this process, use a bamboo skewer or other way to measure the depth after each liquid addition.

From Salon

Related Words

• analyze
• check
• check out
• comb
• consider
• dissect
• explore
• inspect
• investigate
• look over
• peruse
• pore over
• probe
• scan
• sift
• watch
• weigh