Eyebrow

ˈaɪbraʊ

nounBeginner📊CommonBody
1 meaning2 idioms/phrases3 questions

Definitions

1

The strip of hair growing above the eye.

ˈaɪbraʊ

nounneutralBeginner
Body

A strip of hair above the eye.

Her eyebrows arched in surprise when she heard the news.

💡 Simply: It's the line of hair right above your eye! It helps keep stuff out of your eyes and shows how you're feeling.

👶 For kids: The hairs on your face above your eyes. They help keep stuff out of your eyes!

More Examples

2

He furrowed his eyebrows in concentration.

3

She spent a lot of time shaping her eyebrows.

4

The eyebrow protects the eye from sweat and sunlight.

How It's Used

Anatomy

"The eyebrow protects the eye from sweat and sunlight."

Cosmetics

"She carefully shaped her eyebrows with a pencil."

Expression

"He raised an eyebrow in surprise."

Idioms & expressions

raise an eyebrow

To show surprise, disapproval, or skepticism.

"His unconventional proposal raised an eyebrow among the committee members."

a furrowed brow

A facial expression showing worry, concentration, or disapproval.

"He looked at the problem with a furrowed brow."

From Middle English *eie broue*, from Old English *ēagbrǣw* ("eyebrow"), equivalent to *eye* + *brow*.

The word 'eyebrow' has remained relatively consistent in its meaning and usage since its Old English origins.

Memory tip

Think of the 'eye' and 'brow', the hair *above* your eye.

Word Origin

LanguageOld English
Original meaning

"The hair-covered ridge above the eye."

Base: brow
raised eyebrowfurrowed browbushy eyebrowsthin eyebrowseyebrow pencil

Common misspellings

eye broweyebrowseyebrowes

Usage

60%Spoken
40%Written