hook and eye

noun

1. a two-piece clothes fastener, usually of metal, consisting of a hook that catches onto a loop or bar.
2. a three-piece latching device consisting of a hook attached to a screw eye or an eyebolt and a separate screw eye or eyebolt that the hook engages as it bridges a gap, as one between a door and a jamb or a gate and a gatepost.
3. Also called eyehook. the two-piece portion of such a device consisting of a hook and a screw eye.

hook and eye

noun

1. a fastening for clothes consisting of a small hook hooked onto a small metal or thread loop

Word History and Origins

Origin of hook and eye¹

First recorded in 1620–30

Example Sentences

In February, Owens derided a social-media promo for Skims’ “Adaptive Fits Everybody Scoop Bralette” — which according to the brand’s website includes a “hook and eye front closure for added accessibility of dressing.”

From Los Angeles Times

Look at details such as zips – is there a hook and eye to keep the zip in place?

From The Guardian

Aglets were largely replaced with hook and eyes in the first half of the 17th century.

From National Geographic

Vosper and Schwab, who self-funded their first line, say they spent two years traveling the world to find the best materials—hook and eyes from France, elastic from Japan, fabric from America and Belgium.

From BusinessWeek

Sometimes from the smallness of the pulleys the inflexibility of the hook and eye becomes objectionable, and a simple hook is employed on solid round belting.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• hook
• snap