Glossy-eyed

Glossy-eyed describes a person with eyes that appear shiny or glazed, often due to fatigue, illness, intoxication, or intense emotional states. The sheen may result from dilated pupils, excessive moisture, or a general lack of focus. It often suggests a detachment from reality, a dazed or dreamy quality, or an inability to fully process information. The term can imply vulnerability, naiveté, or even a state of being manipulated. It often refers to a condition, as the opposite, 'sharp' or 'clear' eyes are generally desired.

Glossy-eyed meaning with examples

• After the long night of studying, Sarah stared at her textbook with glossy-eyed exhaustion. Her brain felt foggy, and she struggled to comprehend the complex concepts before her. She wished she had gotten enough sleep, so her tired eyes weren't so visibly glazed and unseeing, which didn't allow her to focus on the task at hand. Her mom kept offering her food and drink to help her to concentrate.
• The audience, captivated by the politician's charismatic speech, listened with a sense of hypnotic wonder. Many of the supporters' eyes had become glossy-eyed, reflecting the bright stage lights, but also the fervor of their belief. They were so immersed in his words that their surroundings faded away. A few started shouting back at the speaker and swaying, they were so overtaken by his oratory skills.
• The child, overwhelmed with sugar after eating several candy bars, sat with a glossy-eyed stare. Her parents tried to speak to her, but she simply giggled and made incomprehensible gestures, completely unaware of the chaos she was creating in the shopping center. The sugar high had left her in a confused state. Her parents needed to get her to sleep.
• Following the tragic news of the accident, Mark was found sitting in the corner, glossy-eyed and silent. The shock had numbed his ability to express or process his emotions; His eyes were bright, but devoid of the usual liveliness. He simply stared into the distance, trying to process the news as the reality of the incident sank in. Eventually he started to sob and his eyes got red.