bleary

UK: ˈblɪəri | US: ˈblɪri

Definition

  1. adj. (of eyes) tired, unfocused, or watery, often due to exhaustion or tears

  2. adj. (of vision) dim, blurred, or indistinct

Structure
blear <dim or watery>y <adjective suffix>
Etymology

"Bleary" emerged in the 14th century, combining blear (a verb for blurred vision) with the adjectival -y. The root blear may evoke the image of eyes clouded by tears or exhaustion, akin to a misty window. Over time, it generalized to describe any hazy or unfocused state.

Examples

  1. She rubbed her bleary eyes after staying up all night.

  2. The old man peered through bleary glasses at the newspaper.

  3. His vision grew bleary as tears welled up.

  4. The bleary streetlights shimmered in the rain.

  5. A bleary morning fog obscured the mountains.