glassy
|glas/sy|
🇺🇸
/ˈɡlæsi/
🇬🇧
/ˈɡlɑːsi/
like glass
Etymology
'glassy' originates from English, specifically the word 'glass' + the adjectival suffix '-y', where 'glass' meant 'a transparent, brittle material' and '-y' meant 'characterized by'.
'glass' comes from Old English 'glæs', from Proto-Germanic '*glasą', ultimately related to the Proto-Indo-European root '*ghel-' meaning 'to shine' or 'yellow/green'; 'glassy' developed in English by adding '-y' to 'glass' to form an adjective.
Initially it meant 'made of or resembling glass'; over time it broadened to mean 'smooth and shiny/reflective', 'transparent', and figuratively 'expressionless' (as in 'glassy eyes').
Meanings by Part of Speech
Adjective 1
having the appearance or physical qualities of glass: smooth, shiny, and often transparent or reflective.
The lake was glassy at dawn, perfectly reflecting the sky.
Synonyms
Antonyms
Adjective 2
describing eyes (or an expression) that are unfocused, dull, or emotionless—often suggesting shock, intoxication, illness, or sleepiness.
After the crash, he sat there with glassy eyes.
Synonyms
Antonyms
Last updated: 2025/10/24 17:26