Eyeful

/ˈaɪfʊl/ noun

Definition

A long or thorough look at something, or something striking or attractive enough to deserve close visual attention.

Etymology

From 'eye' plus the suffix '-ful,' literally meaning 'a full eye' or 'as much as the eye can take.' The word appeared in American English in the late 19th century.

Kelly Says

Eyeful started as a visual metaphor—you get an 'eyeful' when something fills your visual field completely, which is why it means both 'something impressive to look at' and 'more than you bargained for,' capturing how overwhelming beauty can be.

Ethical Language Guidance

Gender History

Colloquial term often applied to women's bodies as visual objects ('What an eyeful!'), embedding the male gaze convention and objectification in casual speech.

Inclusive Usage

Avoid when describing people. Use for neutral contexts: 'an eyeful of data' is acceptable.

Inclusive Alternatives

["striking sight","impressive display","visual feast"]

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