side-eye

noun

variants or less commonly side eye
: a sidelong glance or gaze especially when expressing scorn, suspicion, disapproval, or veiled curiosity
The guy who stole your heart as the class clown can seem like just a clown out of his original context, like when people are giving him side-eye for cracking lame jokes in the hostess line.Lauren Panariello
often used with the
… the singular focus on results washes away concerns about getting the side-eye from a colleague judging you for not being in your cubicle …The Chicago Tribune
side-eye verb, transitive + intransitive
She wears clothes that would have Kerry Washington's Olivia Pope side-eyeing in envy. Kevin Fallon

Examples of side-eye in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Describing her as loving, playful, and hilarious, Hall said Charlie has a signature side-eye and a flair for silly expressions. Lydia Patrick, MSNBC Newsweek, 30 July 2025 The Rhode skin-care founder posts a selfie on Instagram Stories using a filter that cartoonishly magnifies her side-eye, potentially directed at Braun’s praise. Zoe Guy, Vulture, 25 July 2025 The verse’s last third might spark some side-eyes, but the Mass Appeal co-founder (the company distributed this album) sounds hungry. Andre Gee, Rolling Stone, 23 July 2025 Questlove simply shared a post about the news on his Instagram Story and added a side-eye emoji. Hannah Dailey, Billboard, 18 July 2025 See All Example Sentences for side-eye

Word History

First Known Use

1797, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of side-eye was in 1797

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Side-eye.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/side-eye. Accessed 7 Aug. 2025.

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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