beady

Like tiny marbles

Beady describes eyes that are small, round, and bright—like beads.

The word almost always appears in beady eyes or beady-eyed, and carries a negative connotation: watchful in a suspicious or predatory way.

The shopkeeper kept his beady eyes on us the whole time.

Birds and rodents are often described as beady-eyed.

piercing

sharp

Fine-edged, or astute

penetratingPassing into or through
watchfulCarefully attentive, observant
intentPlanned purpose

fixed · unblinking · staring · keen · alert · scrutinizing · predatory · focused · unwavering · intense

shiny

gleaming

Reflecting light brightly

glitteringShining with small flashes
glintingReflecting brief flashes
brightEmitting or reflecting light

shiny · lustrous · sparkling · glistening · reflective · glossy · twinkling · polished · glassy · lacquered

small-round

tiny

Extremely small in size

smallLimited in size
littleSmall in degree
minuteSixtieth of an hour

minuscule · spherical · round · pea-sized · pellet · globular · droplet

Categories

eye adjectivesblue, brown, green, gray, hazel
crab traitssideways, scuttle, claws, pincers, shell

Opposites

eye size and shape

beadywide

Of great breadth

large · doe-eyed · big · expansive · bulging

eye quality and expression

beadywarm

Moderately heated, or friendly

soft · kind · gentle · trusting · soulful

surface decoration

Lacking decoration or ornament

undecorated · plain · unembellished · bare · simple

Phrases

beady eyesSmall, round, gleaming lookers
beaded curtainHanging strands blocking doorways
prayer beadSphere for counting recitations
beaded dressGarment decorated with small spheres
bead curtainDecorative hanging room divider
tiny bead

Family

bead, beadwork, beading, beaded, beader, beadier, prayer beads, beadiest, beady-eyed

Familiarity: Top 200,000
Profile: Known to kids · Used worldwide · Timeless · Concrete · Everyday, not technical · Rated G