evil eye

or E·vil Eye

[ ee-vuhl ahy ]

noun

1. Often Facetious. a look expressing hostility, stern disapproval, jealousy, etc.:

   As he left he turned and cast an evil eye in my direction, full of contempt.

   I’d better get off the phone—I’m getting the evil eye from my mom.

2. a look thought to be capable of inflicting bad luck or misfortune on the person at whom it is directed:

   One did not need to be a witch to give the evil eye—it could happen accidentally.

3. the power, superstitiously attributed to certain persons, of inflicting bad luck or misfortune by a look:

   The evil eye was recognized by the Sumerians, Babylonians, Assyrians, and ancient Egyptians from as early as 3000 b.c.

4. an attack carried out by means of magic power exercised through a look; a curse, jinx, or spell:

   Do you know anyone who can remove the evil eye?

evil eye

noun

1. a look or glance superstitiously supposed to have the power of inflicting harm or injury
2. the power to inflict harm, etc, by such a look

Derived Forms

• ˌevil-ˈeyed, adjective

Other Words From

• e·vil-eyed adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of evil eye¹

First recorded before 1000; Middle English, Old English

Idioms and Phrases

The power to cause injury or misfortune, as in The tomatoes died shortly after planting—I must have an evil eye . The source of this expression is the ancient superstitious belief that some individuals could inflict harm on others simply by looking at them. Today the term is generally used figuratively or ironically, as above, and also in the form give someone the evil eye , which means “glare malevolently at someone.” For example, Helen gave his cat the evil eye, hoping it would stay out of her garden . [Late 1300s]

Example Sentences

“Nazar” is an Arabic word that refers to the concept of the “evil eye,” an envious glare believed to cause harm to those it falls on.

From Los Angeles Times

They were also sending “evil eyes” to the jurors as they were transfixed watching and listening to the back-and-forth between Cohen and the lawyers for the prosecution and the defense.

From Salon

He turned several times and gave us both the evil eye.

From Literature

Once killed out of fear of the evil eye, they’re now venerated.

From New York Times

Depictions of roses, a skull, a goat and a Santería evil eye dance around them, illuminated in sepia spotlights and looking like they could have come straight from a deck of tarot cards.

From Washington Times

Related Words

• bad eye