black eye

noun

Definition of black eye

1 : a discoloration of the skin around the eye from bruising
2a : defeat, setback
b : a bad reputation

Examples of black eye in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

In an interview with Detroit ABC affiliate WXYZ, the injured child's mother said her son suffered a black eye and bruised nose. oregonlive.com, "10-year-old boy threw a ball at another kid in the schoolyard, injuring him; then, he was charged with aggravated assault," 3 Aug. 2019 But simply by raising a second gargantuan pot of money, Mr Son has given the doubters a big black eye and himself a day to remember. The Economist, "SoftBank’s transformation into an investment powerhouse continues," 1 Aug. 2019 Car loans have been another black eye for Wells Fargo. Matt Egan, CNN, "Wells Fargo discriminated against Dreamer by denying auto loan, lawsuit claims," 19 July 2019 While these totals are a slight decrease from previous years, Chicago's inordinate violence remains a black eye for the city. Javonte Anderson, chicagotribune.com, "Hundreds gather for annual St. Sabina rally against violence," 14 June 2019 With his powdered wig, his burning black eyes, his bulbous forehead, and his cheeks pitted with smallpox, Goethe must have been a terrifying spectacle. Andrew Roberts, The New York Review of Books, "Ferdinand Mount," 6 June 2019 The deputy also noticed the woman had a large knot on her forehead, a black eye as well as bruises and scrapes on her arm and face, which the woman had not had when the deputy left her shift earlier that morning. Elise Schmelzer, The Denver Post, "Denver jail deputy fired, 2 others disciplined for not helping woman suffering from hours of epileptic seizures in cell," 3 July 2019 Max Scherzer just struck out 10 and tossed seven shutout innings with a broken nose and black eye. Helen Murphy, PEOPLE.com, "Nationals Pitcher Max Scherzer Hits the Field with a Black Eye One Day After Breaking His Nose," 20 June 2019 At the standees in the back of the shop, Hanks indulged Kimmel in one of his longest-running bits, and defaced a Damon standee with a back tooth and black eye. Marianne Garvey, CNN, "Jimmy Kimmel made Tom Hanks shoplift and spill Disney secrets," 14 June 2019

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'black eye.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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First Known Use of black eye

1604, in the meaning defined at sense 1

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More Definitions for black eye

black eye

noun

English Language Learners Definition of black eye

: a dark area of skin around the eye caused by being hit hard

black eye

noun

Medical Definition of black eye

: a discoloration of the skin around the eye from bruising