round-eyed

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "round-eyed" is a correct and usable adjective in written English.
It is typically used to describe someone with large, rounded or wide-open eyes, often conveying a sense of naivety or astonishment. Example: The round-eyed child gazed spellbound at the circus performers, clearly captivated by their daring acrobatics.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Arts

Books

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

21 human-written examples

My response was delivered with flat, round-eyed authority: "Mothers don't come in colors".

The New York Times - Magazine

Theex-tackle's small son sat round-eyed through dinner drinking every word.

The New Yorker

I remember noticing the students around us, round-eyed with shock.

The Guardian - Books

They are something of an anthropological mystery, being obviously of Caucasian race, fair-skinned, and round-eyed.

The New Yorker

Banner ads outside residential developments feature glittering young couples (the women strikingly round-eyed and white-skinned) and images of golf courses.

The New York Times

"Can we talk about the fact that this is actually happening?" one of the young women, round-eyed, said to a friend.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

36 human-written examples

Big Eyes, his Oscar-tipped biopic of round-eyed-waif painter Margaret Keane and her huckster husband Walter (as played by Amy Adams and Christoph Waltz) has a release date just before Christmas, so it looks set for another European platform preview.

The Guardian - Film

Thus, hidden behind those round eyed and perfect-faced cartoon characters are stories of human sufferings and survival rivaling the tragedy of Job.

Huffington Post

The locals snap round, wide-eyed.

The Guardian - Film

Round, bug-eyed and knee high, they look, happily, nothing like the pop idols Britney Spears and Mandy Moore.

The New York Times

She is a brassy little thing with a round, sad-eyed Armenian face and a cigarette-scarred voice that sounds like a board on a sanding belt.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "round-eyed" to specifically describe the physical appearance of someone's eyes when you want to emphasize their round shape, often to suggest innocence, surprise, or naivety.

Common error

Avoid using "round-eyed" interchangeably with adjectives like "wide-eyed" or "doe-eyed" if you specifically want to convey the shape rather than just the size or perceived innocence. "Wide-eyed" might be more appropriate if you are just emphasizing surprise, while "doe-eyed" is more about perceived naivety.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "round-eyed" primarily functions as a descriptive adjective, modifying nouns to indicate that they possess large, circular eyes. Ludwig provides examples where it describes people, animals, or even objects, emphasizing a physical attribute. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is a correct and usable adjective.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

79%

Arts

8%

Books

8%

Less common in

Science

4%

Encyclopedias

1%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The adjective "round-eyed" is a grammatically correct and commonly used phrase to describe individuals or objects with large, circular eyes. Ludwig's examples show that it often evokes feelings of innocence, surprise, or naivety. While it's best to use "round-eyed" when you want to emphasize the round shape of the eyes specifically. Remember to be mindful of connotations, ensuring the description is appropriate for the context. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is perfectly acceptable in written English.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

wide-eyed

Focuses on the width of the eyes, implying surprise or innocence, similar to "round-eyed".

large-eyed

Emphasizes the size of the eyes, a key feature described by "round-eyed".

big-eyed

Highlights the size of the eyes, similar to "round-eyed" but less specific about the shape.

doe-eyed

Suggests a gentle, innocent, and often naive look, akin to the impression conveyed by "round-eyed".

bulging eyes

Describes eyes that protrude, sharing the roundness aspect but can imply a different emotional state.

pop-eyed

Indicates eyes wide with shock or surprise, a possible context for "round-eyed".

широко раскрытыми глазами

This is the Russian translation of "wide-eyed". It shares a similar meaning.

innocent-looking eyes

Describes the effect of having round eyes. This is less literal.

innocent eyes

Focuses on the perceived innocence associated with certain eye shapes, a common implication of "round-eyed".

astonished gaze

Highlights the expression often seen in round eyes, focusing on the emotional state rather than the physical trait.

FAQs

How can I use "round-eyed" in a sentence?

You can use "round-eyed" to describe a person or animal with large, circular eyes, often conveying innocence or surprise. For example, "The child stared with a "round-eyed" wonder at the fireworks."

What are some synonyms for "round-eyed"?

Some synonyms for "round-eyed" include "wide-eyed", "large-eyed", or "doe-eyed", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it acceptable to use "round-eyed" to describe someone's ethnicity?

While "round-eyed" refers to a physical characteristic, using it to define ethnicity can be considered insensitive. It's best to avoid using physical traits as a primary means of describing someone's background.

What's the difference between "round-eyed" and "wide-eyed"?

"Round-eyed" emphasizes the circular shape of the eyes, while "wide-eyed" focuses on the extent to which the eyes are open. "Wide-eyed" is more commonly associated with surprise or shock, while "round-eyed" often implies innocence or naivety.