Describing a person or animal whose eyes lack their usual brightness, sparkle, or alertness, often indicating tiredness, boredom, disinterest, illness, or emotional distress. It signifies a lack of vivacity in the gaze, presenting a vacant or listless appearance. The term suggests a diminished connection to the surroundings and an overall sense of apathy or weariness. This state can be temporary, resulting from sleep deprivation or prolonged inactivity, or more persistent, reflecting a deeper emotional or physical condition. It's a visual cue that communicates a diminished state of attentiveness and engagement.
Dull-eyed meaning with examples
- After the long overnight shift, the exhausted nurse had a dull-eyed appearance, her gaze unfocused and her energy depleted. Coffee barely seemed to help her stay awake, and her patients noticed the shift in her usual bright and comforting demeanor, knowing she needed to rest.
- The old dog, suffering from arthritis, shuffled slowly across the room with dull-eyed resignation. His once-lively eyes, full of playful energy, were now clouded with pain and age, reflecting his diminished vitality and enjoyment of the world.
- Sitting through the endless presentation, the bored student stared at the screen with a dull-eyed expression. His mind wandered elsewhere, as the drone of the speaker and the monotony of the slides caused his focus to fade into nothingness.
- Recovering from the flu, the child sat in his armchair, dull-eyed and listless. The sparkle was gone, replaced with a quiet withdrawal from life, his favorite toys and games left untouched as he struggled against the illness.
- The news of the accident left her dull-eyed and silent, her usually vibrant personality overshadowed by grief. Her family noticed the lack of light in her eyes and knew the depth of her sorrow.