oeillade

A young woman gives a playful oeillade across the room.

Definition

1. Noun:
   • A flirtatious glance: "oeillade" refers to an amorous or coquettish look, typically one that is suggestive or inviting. It is a sidelong or meaningful glance intended to convey romantic interest.

Usage Examples

• Noun:
  • She gave him a subtle oeillade across the crowded room. (She cast a flirtatious glance at him from a distance.)
  • The actor's oeillade to the audience was met with laughter. (The actor's suggestive look amused the viewers.)

Advanced Usage

• "to cast an oeillade": to direct a flirtatious glance at someone.

  • He cast an oeillade at the woman sitting alone at the bar. (He gave her a suggestive look.)

• "oeillade of invitation": a glance that implies an invitation to approach or engage.

  • Her oeillade of invitation was unmistakable in the candlelit restaurant. (The look clearly encouraged his advance.)

Variants and Related Words

• Oeil (n, French): eye; the root of "oeillade."

  • The word "oeillade" derives from the French "œil," meaning "eye."

• Oeillade (adj, rare): relating to or characterized by such glances.

  • He had an oeillade manner that made many people uncomfortable. (His habit of giving flirtatious looks was disconcerting.)

Synonyms

• Glance: a brief or hurried look.
• Leer: a sly, unpleasant, or suggestive look.
• Wink: a quick closing and opening of one eye, often as a signal.
• Come-hither look: an inviting or seductive expression.

Phrasal Verbs

• No direct phrasal verbs: "oeillade" is not commonly combined with prepositions to form phrasal verbs.

Related Idioms

• "To make eyes at someone": to look at someone in a flirtatious or romantic way.

  • She was making eyes at him across the table. (She was giving him flirtatious glances.)

• "To give someone the eye": to look at someone with romantic or sexual interest.

  • He gave her the eye during the meeting. (He looked at her suggestively.)