eyelid

eyelid — noun

1. the thin layer of skin on each eye that moves to cover the eye when you close it

1.nounA2
Definition

the thin layer of skin on each eye that moves to cover the eye when you close it or blink, shielding it from dust, bright light, and harm

Example

Niran's left eyelid swelled after a bug bit it, so he placed a cold pack.

possessive + eyelid + be + adjective describing condition

The doctor gently lifted Mira's eyelid to examine her eye with a small light.

verb + lift + possessive + eyelid (medical examination)

Common collocations
  • heavy eyelids
  • swollen eyelid
  • upper/lower eyelid
  • drooping eyelids
  • eyelid twitch

Grammar Patterns

possessive adjective + eyelid(s)

upper / lower + eyelid

Usage Note

Like other body-part nouns, 'eyelid' is countable and usually paired with a possessive adjective ('my eyelid,' 'her right eyelid'). Use 'upper eyelid' and 'lower eyelid' when anatomical precision is needed. When referring to both eyes at once, the plural 'eyelids' is standard. The formal medical term is 'palpebra,' but learners rarely need this.

Common Mistakes

My eye skin is red and itchy.
My eyelid is red and itchy.
English uses the specific word 'eyelid' for the skin covering the eye, rather than describing it as 'eye skin.'
I have a pimple in my eyelid.
I have a pimple on my eyelid.
things are on the surface of the eyelid, not embedded inside it.
Idioms

not bat an eyelid

idiom

to show no surprise, worry, or reaction at all when something unexpected or shocking happens

When the lights suddenly went out during the meeting, Amihan did not bat an eyelid.

Mert accepted the harsh feedback from his manager without batting an eyelid and continued working.

Word family

Synonym discussion

Sense: noun/1

'Eyelid' is the fold of skin that covers the eye; 'eyelash' refers to the small hairs growing along its edge; 'eyebrow' is the strip of hair above the eye socket; and 'eyeliner' is a cosmetic applied along the eyelid edge — not a body part at all. These four terms are commonly confused because they all begin with 'eye-' and relate to the eye area, but each refers to a different structure or product. For example: 'She applied black eyeliner to her upper eyelid, near her eyelashes, and raised her eyebrows to check the result in the mirror.'

eyelasheyebrow ↗eyeliner

Common collocations

Nouns

Phrases

Prepositions

Etymology

Old EnglishEnglish

From Old English 'ēaġe' (eye) + 'hlid' (cover, lid). English has used this compound since before the 12th century to mean 'the cover of the eye.' Related words in other Germanic languages (German 'Augenlid', Dutch 'ooglid') use the same two-part structure.