glasses
glasses
Pronunciation
/glɑːsɪz/
First syllable (glas-):
/ɡ/ as in "go"
/l/ as in "light"
/ɑː/ or /æ/ as in "father" (RP) or "cat" (GA)
/s/ as in "sun"
Second syllable (-es):
/ɪ/ as in "kit"
/z/ as in "zoo"
Word Form Variations
Singular: glass
Plural: glasses (used for the optical device and multiple drinking vessels)
Verb (base form): glass (less common, usually means to enclose in or cover with glass, or to observe with a telescope)
Verb (third person singular present): glasses
Verb (present participle): glassing
Verb (past tense/past participle): glassed
Definitions, Synonyms and Antonyms
Noun
Definition 1: A pair of lenses set in a frame worn on the nose and ears to correct or assist defective eyesight.
Synonyms: spectacles, eyewear, specs (informal), bifocals, trifocals, contacts (if referring to contact lenses as an alternative)
Antonyms: (No direct antonyms, as it describes an object. One might say "bare eyes" or "unassisted vision" to imply not wearing glasses.)
Definition 2: Tumblers or other containers made of glass, typically used for drinking.
Synonyms: tumblers, goblets, cups, chalices, stemware
Antonyms: (No direct antonyms for a drinking vessel. One might say "bottles" or "cans" to imply different types of containers.)
Definition 3: (plural) A general term referring to material made from hard, brittle, transparent or translucent substance, typically composed of silica, used for windows, bottles, etc. (Though "glass" is more commonly used in the singular for the material, "glasses" can refer to multiple pieces of it.)
Synonyms: panes, shards (if broken), sheets
Antonyms: (No direct antonyms, as it describes a material. One might refer to "wood," "plastic," or "metal" to imply different materials.)
Verb
Definition 1: To enclose in or cover with glass.
Synonyms: glaze, encase, panel
Antonyms: unglaze, expose, uncover
Definition 2: To observe something through a telescope or binoculars. (Often used in hunting or observation contexts.)
Synonyms: survey, scan, scope (informal), observe, view
Antonyms: overlook, disregard, ignore
Examples of Use
Books:
"Harry took off his glasses and polished them slowly with his jumper, his eyes still fixed on the back of Snape's head." (J.K. Rowling, Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone) - This example uses "glasses" in its most common sense, referring to corrective eyewear.
"He peered over the rim of his reading glasses at the inscription on the old map." (From a hypothetical historical fiction novel) - Highlights the specific type of glasses for reading.
Newspapers:
"New research suggests that wearing glasses may offer a small protective effect against contracting certain airborne viruses, though further study is needed." (From a hypothetical article in The New York Times) - Discusses glasses in a health context.
"The local brewery announced a new initiative to recycle old beer glasses from restaurants and bars, turning them into artistic installations." (From a hypothetical article in The Guardian) - Refers to drinking glasses as containers.
Online Publications:
"The ultimate guide to choosing the perfect pair of blue light glasses for reducing digital eye strain." (From a hypothetical article on Wired.com) - Showcases a specific modern type of glasses.
"Our sommelier shares tips on selecting the right wine glasses to enhance your tasting experience." (From a hypothetical article on Food & Wine Online) - Focuses on specialized drinking glasses.
Various Entertainment Mediums and Platforms:
Film: "Why does Clark Kent always take off his glasses when he transforms into Superman? It's a classic cinematic trope." (Dialogue from a hypothetical film review on YouTube) - Refers to the iconic use of glasses in superhero lore.
Television Series: "In the latest episode, the detective found a broken pair of glasses at the crime scene, a crucial piece of evidence." (From a hypothetical recap of a crime drama like CSI) - Uses glasses as a plot device.
Music/Song Lyrics: "Through rose-tinted glasses, she sees the world in shades of pink." (From a hypothetical pop song lyric) - Employs the idiomatic expression "rose-tinted glasses" to mean an overly optimistic view.
Video Games: "Player equipped 'Enchanted Glasses of True Sight,' gaining a bonus to perception." (Text from a hypothetical RPG game like World of Warcraft) - Utilizes glasses as an item with special properties in a game context.
Podcasts: "On today's episode, we discuss the evolution of eyewear fashion, from monocles to modern designer glasses." (From a hypothetical fashion or history podcast) - Covers the historical and fashion aspects of glasses.
General Public Discourse:
"I need to get my new glasses adjusted; they keep slipping down my nose." (Casual conversation between friends) - Everyday use related to personal eyewear.
"Could you please hand me those glasses from the top shelf? I want to pour some water." (Request in a home setting) - Refers to drinking glasses.
"He's been 'glassing' the horizon for hours, hoping to spot some wildlife." (Conversation among hikers/hunters, referring to the verb "to glass") - Uses the verb form, meaning to observe with binoculars or a scope.
10 Famous Quotes Using Glasses
"Men are like wine – some turn to vinegar, but the best improve with age." (Pope John XXIII, often attributed) - This quote uses "wine" which is commonly served in "glasses."
"The eyes are the windows to your soul." (William Shakespeare, often paraphrased from Romeo and Juliet and other works) - This is a metaphorical reference to vision, which "glasses" assist.
"I have been told that I am an artist. I am not an artist. I am a photographer. It's not a question of talent, it's a question of hard work." (Annie Leibovitz) - Photographers often look through lenses, a form of "glasses" in their equipment.
"Beauty is in the eye of the beholder." (Margaret Wolfe Hungerford, Molly Bawn) - Another quote about perception and vision.
"I never travel without my diary. One should always have something sensational to read on the train." (Oscar Wilde, The Importance of Being Earnest) - Reading often necessitates "glasses" for many.
"When you look at the world through rose-colored glasses, all the red flags just look like flags." (Anonymous, common modern proverb) - A well-known idiomatic use of "glasses."
"Four eyes are better than two." (Traditional proverb) - A common saying directly referencing the effect of wearing "glasses."
"My vision is getting worse; I think I need new glasses." (Common public discourse, often heard from individuals) - This is a very common, almost proverbial, statement in everyday life.
"The first thing I do in the morning is put on my glasses so I can see what's happening." (Attributed to various individuals, representing a common routine) - Reflects the daily necessity of "glasses" for many.
"Let's raise our glasses to a successful year!" (Common toast or celebratory phrase) - Refers to drinking "glasses" in a celebratory context.
Etymology
The word "glasses" has a pretty clear and interesting journey through time, mostly tied to the material it's made from.
At its core, "glasses" comes from the Old English word "glæs," which meant exactly what it sounds like: the material we call glass. This Old English word itself likely came from a Germanic root, pointing to an even older origin.
The first known use of "glæs" was simply to refer to the transparent, hard material itself. Think of it like how we use "wood" or "stone" today – it was just the name for that specific substance. This material was used for various things, like beads or rudimentary windows, long before sophisticated optics existed.
Over time, as people started making more advanced objects from this material, the word "glass" began to extend its meaning.
The shift to referring to eyewear (spectacles) happened much later. When corrective lenses, made of glass, started becoming common in the late Middle Ages (around the 13th and 14th centuries in Europe), the objects themselves were often just called "glasses" because that's what they were made of. It was a natural extension: if you have two pieces of glass used for seeing, you have "glasses." The plural "glasses" became the standard way to refer to this optical device because it typically consists of two lenses.
Similarly, the use of "glasses" to mean drinking vessels also comes directly from the material. Before glass was common, people drank from horns, wood, or pottery. As glass became more widely available for making containers, those containers became known as "glasses" because of the material they were made from. Again, the plural "glasses" is common when referring to multiple such vessels, or collectively when setting a table ("set out the glasses").
So, in essence, the word "glasses" started as the name for a material, and then its meaning expanded to describe important objects made from that material, particularly those used for vision and drinking.
Phrases + Idioms Containing Glasses
Here's a list of phrases and idioms using "glasses" or its close synonyms/metaphors:
Rose-tinted glasses: To view things with excessive optimism, often ignoring negative aspects.
Through the looking glass: Entering a strange or confusing situation, often implying a reversal of normal rules (from Lewis Carroll's Through the Looking-Glass).
To wear beer goggles: To find people more attractive than they really are due to being under the influence of alcohol.
To raise a glass: To make a toast, usually in celebration or remembrance.
To get your glasses on/off: To put on or take off one's spectacles.
Don't throw stones in glass houses: Don't criticize others for faults you share yourself.
To glass (someone/something): (Verb) To strike someone with a glass (often broken) as a weapon; or to observe something intently through binoculars/telescope.
The glass ceiling: An unacknowledged barrier to advancement in a profession, especially affecting women and minorities.
Half empty/half full glass: A way to describe a pessimistic or optimistic outlook on a situation.
To fog up one's glasses: To have one's spectacles become unclear due to condensation, often implying a moment of impaired vision or clarity.
Vocabulary-Based Stories from SEA
Source Information
Definition of glasses from The Academic Glossary at Self Exploration Academy, a Urikville Press Publication. © All rights reserved.
