squint
/skwint/
Học thuậtThân thiện
Definition
Verb:
- To partly close one's eyes, often in response to bright light or to see something more clearly.
- To have eyes that look in different directions; to be cross-eyed (a medical condition: strabismus).
Noun:
- The act of squinting; looking with the eyes partly closed.
- A condition where the eyes are not properly aligned and look in different directions; a strabismus.
Adjective:
- (Of an eye) affected by strabismus; looking obliquely.
- (Of a glance or look) directed sideways or obliquely, often suggesting doubt, suspicion, envy, or secrecy.
Usage and Examples
Verb:
- She had to squint to read the small print on the label.
- The bright sun made him squint as he stepped outside.
- The child's left eye squints slightly when he is tired.
Noun:
- He gave the document a quick squint before signing.
- The doctor diagnosed the baby with a squint and recommended exercises.
Adjective:
- He gave her a squint, suspicious look from across the room.
- The old portrait showed a man with a squint eye.
Advanced Usage
- "Have/take a squint at (something)" (informal): To take a quick look at something.
- Can you have a squint at this engine and tell me what's wrong?
- "Squint through": To look at something through nearly closed eyes or a narrow opening.
- She squinted through the keyhole to see who was outside.
Variants and Related Words
- Squinty (adjective): Characterized by squinting.
- He had a permanent, squinty expression from years of working in the sun.
- Squinter (noun): A person who squints.
- Squint-eyed (adjective): Having a squint; looking askance.
Synonyms
- Verb: Peer, screw up one's eyes, narrow one's eyes, blink.
- Noun: Glance, peek, peer, strabismus.
- Adjective: Askance, sidelong, oblique.
Phrasal Verbs / Common Phrases
- Squint at: To look at something with partly closed eyes.
- Why are you squinting at the screen? Adjust the brightness.
- Squint up/down: To squint while looking upward or downward.
- She squinted up at the tall building.
Idioms and Fixed Expressions
- Look at something with a squint eye: To view something with suspicion or disapproval.
- The conservative members looked at the new proposal with a squint eye.
- A squint in one's eye: A tendency or inclination towards something.
- He's always had a squint in his eye for adventure. (This usage is less common and somewhat archaic.)
Adjective
- (used especially of glances) directed to one side with or as if with doubt or suspicion or envy
- her eyes with their misted askance look- Elizabeth Bowen
- sidelong glances
Noun
- the act of squinting; looking with the eyes partly closed
- abnormal alignment of one or both eyes
Verb
- partly close one's eyes, as when hit by direct blinding light
- The driver squinted as the sun hit his windshield
- be cross-eyed; have a squint or strabismus
- cross one's eyes as if in strabismus
- The children squinted so as to scare each other