dull-eyed
|dull-eyed|
/ˈdʌlˌaɪd/
eyes lacking brightness or liveliness
Etymology
'dull-eyed' is a compound of the adjective 'dull' and the participial/adjectival formation '‑eyed' (from 'eye' + '‑ed'), meaning 'having eyes of a dull kind.'
'dull' comes from Old English/Dial. forms (Middle English 'dulle'/'dull') meaning 'blunt, sluggish'; 'eye' comes from Old English 'eage' (from Proto-Germanic *augōn). The combining form '‑eyed' (as in 'blue-eyed') developed in Middle to Early Modern English; 'dull-eyed' arose as a descriptive compound in Modern English usage.
Originally 'dull' often described bluntness or lack of sharpness; combined with 'eyed' it came to denote eyes lacking brightness or animation, and by extension a figurative lack of liveliness or awareness.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Adjective 1
having eyes that lack brightness, sparkle, or liveliness; eyes that appear cloudy, listless, or unfocused.
After three sleepless nights he appeared dull-eyed and exhausted.
Synonyms
Antonyms
Adjective 2
figuratively, showing lack of intelligence, interest, or responsiveness; apathetic or dull in expression.
The villagers described him as dull-eyed, remarking that he rarely showed curiosity.
Synonyms
Antonyms
Last updated: 2025/12/30 12:37