Glasses: meaning, definitions and examples

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glasses

 

[หˆษกlรฆsษชz ]

Definitions

Context #1 | Noun

to wear on face

Glasses are a pair of lenses set into a frame that you wear in front of your eyes to help you see better. They are commonly used to correct vision problems such as nearsightedness or farsightedness.

Synonyms

eyeglasses, spectacles.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
glasses

Commonly used in everyday conversation to refer to corrective lenses worn on the face.

  • I need to clean my glasses
  • He wears glasses to read
spectacles

A more old-fashioned or formal term for glasses, often used in literature or historical contexts. Can sometimes have a humorous or quaint connotation.

  • He put on his spectacles to read the newspaper
  • The old professor adjusted his spectacles thoughtfully
eyeglasses

More formal or technical term for glasses, often used in professional or medical contexts.

  • The optometrist prescribed new eyeglasses for her
  • Eyeglasses can improve your vision significantly

Examples of usage

  • She wears glasses to read.
  • He needs to wear glasses while driving.
Context #2 | Noun

drinking container

Glasses are also containers used for drinking liquids such as water or juice. They come in various shapes and sizes, typically made of glass or plastic.

Synonyms

cup, mug.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
glasses

Use when referring to drinkware made from glass, commonly for beverages like water, juice, or wine. It can also refer to spectacles used for vision correction.

  • Please pour some water into the glasses.
  • I need my glasses to read this book.
cup

This is suitable for small containers used for both hot and cold beverages, often made of plastic, ceramic, or paper. This term is also used in various contexts like sports to represent a trophy or prize.

  • She drank her morning coffee from a white cup.
  • Their team won the championship cup.
mug

Best used for large, sturdy, often ceramic containers typically used for hot drinks like coffee, tea, or hot chocolate. Informally, it can also refer to someone's face, often in a negative context.

  • I enjoy sipping hot cocoa from my favorite mug.
  • He had a grim look on his mug.

Examples of usage

  • She poured water into a glass.
  • He prefers drinking juice from a glass.

Interesting Facts

Etymology

  • The word 'glasses' comes from the Latin word 'vitrum,' which means 'glass.'
  • Ancient Romans used glass objects to improve their vision, laying early foundations for modern eyewear.
  • The term 'spectacles' was common in the 15th century, combining 'spectare' (to look) and 'calere' (to be warm) โ€“ as light warms our view!

Historical Origins

  • The first wearable glasses appeared in Italy around the late 13th century, often made from simple glass lenses.
  • In the 18th century, Benjamin Franklin invented bifocals, allowing people to see clearly at different distances.
  • Glasses were once considered a sign of wisdom or age, often associated with learned individuals like philosophers and scholars.

Pop Culture

  • In movies, characters wearing glasses are often portrayed as intelligent or quirky, influencing the way we view 'nerdy' stereotypes.
  • Iconic characters like Harry Potter and Clark Kent are known for their distinctive glasses, becoming lasting symbols of their identities.
  • The trend of wearing glasses as fashion accessories has turned them into stylish items that enhance personal expression.

Science

  • Glasses work by bending light rays, which helps focus images clearly on the retina, allowing for improved vision.
  • Digital eye strain has led to the rise of blue light glasses, which filter harmful light from screens to protect our eyes.
  • Research shows that people can adapt to wearing glasses quickly, often within a few days, as their vision adjusts.

Literature

  • In literature, glasses often symbolize perception โ€“ characters with them may see deeper truths than those without.
  • Writers like J.D. Salinger used glasses as character traits to highlight intelligence or the struggle against societal norms.
  • Glasses appear frequently in childrenโ€™s books, where they often signify a kind-hearted, wise character, teaching young readers lessons.

Translations

Translations of the word "glasses" in other languages:

๐Ÿ‡ต๐Ÿ‡น รณculos

๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ณ เคšเคถเฅเคฎเคพ

๐Ÿ‡ฉ๐Ÿ‡ช Brille

๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ฉ kacamata

๐Ÿ‡บ๐Ÿ‡ฆ ะพะบัƒะปัั€ะธ

๐Ÿ‡ต๐Ÿ‡ฑ okulary

๐Ÿ‡ฏ๐Ÿ‡ต ็œผ้ก (ใ‚ใŒใญ)

๐Ÿ‡ซ๐Ÿ‡ท lunettes

๐Ÿ‡ช๐Ÿ‡ธ gafas

๐Ÿ‡น๐Ÿ‡ท gรถzlรผk

๐Ÿ‡ฐ๐Ÿ‡ท ์•ˆ๊ฒฝ

๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฆ ู†ุธุงุฑุงุช

๐Ÿ‡จ๐Ÿ‡ฟ brรฝle

๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฐ okuliare

๐Ÿ‡จ๐Ÿ‡ณ ็œผ้•œ (yวŽnjรฌng)

๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฎ oฤala

๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ธ gleraugu

๐Ÿ‡ฐ๐Ÿ‡ฟ ะบำฉะทั–ะปะดั–ั€ั–ะบ

๐Ÿ‡ฌ๐Ÿ‡ช แƒฌแƒแƒ›แƒšแƒ”แƒ‘แƒ˜ (ั†'ะฐะผะปะตะฑั–)

๐Ÿ‡ฆ๐Ÿ‡ฟ eynษ™k

๐Ÿ‡ฒ๐Ÿ‡ฝ gafas

Word Frequency Rank

With rank #4,974, this word represents useful upper-intermediate vocabulary. Understanding and using it will help you express more complex ideas effectively.