aviators

IPA/ˈeɪ.vi.eɪ.tə ˌɡlɑːs.ɪz/
KK[ˈevietɚz]IPA/ˈeɪ.vi.eɪ.t̬ɚ ˌɡlæs.ɪz/

aviators — noun

1. eyewear that protects the eyes from sunlight, using narrow metallic rims and ove

1.nounB1
Definition

eyewear that protects the eyes from sunlight, using narrow metallic rims and oversized teardrop-shaped lenses that broaden toward the outer edge and narrow at the bridge of the nose

Example

Talia bought a pair of aviators for her trip to the beach in Bali.

pair of aviators

Mark tried on three different pairs of aviators before choosing the gold-framed ones.

Common collocations
  • pair of aviators
  • wear aviators
  • aviators with gold/silver frames
  • aviators suit
  • classic aviators
Synonyms
  • wayfarers

    a different classic style with thick plastic frames and trapezoidal lenses, not the thin metal aviator design

  • pilot sunglasses

    another common name for the same style; slightly less formal

Grammar Patterns

pair of aviators

wear aviators

Usage Note

Always used in the plural form, like 'scissors' or 'jeans.' You say 'a pair of aviators' or simply 'aviators,' never 'an aviator,' when referring to the eyewear style.

Common Mistakes

I bought an aviator yesterday.
I bought aviators yesterday.
The eyewear style is always referred to in plural form, even when talking about a single item.

2. prescription spectacles with narrow metal rims and oversized teardrop-shaped len

2.nounB2
Definition

prescription spectacles with narrow metal rims and oversized teardrop-shaped lenses, made to correct a person's vision rather than block the sun

Example

Rodrigo's optician suggested aviators because the large frames suit his round face.

optician suggested aviators

Hui recently switched from plastic frames to aviators for a lighter feel on her nose.

Common collocations
  • prescription aviators
  • aviator frames
  • aviators with anti-glare lenses
Synonyms
  • aviator frames

    focuses on the frame style rather than the complete glasses; used interchangeably by opticians

  • teardrop glasses

    describes the lens shape; less commonly used than 'aviators'

Grammar Patterns

prescription aviators

pair of aviators

Usage Note

Same plural-only rule as sense 1. When the focus is on vision correction rather than sun protection, phrases like 'prescription aviators' or 'aviator frames' help distinguish this sense from the sunglasses meaning.

Common Mistakes

Those aviator looks great on you.
Those aviators look great on you.
Even for prescription glasses, the style name 'aviators' is always plural.

3. people who operate aircraft, especially as a profession; the plural form of 'avi

3.nounB2
Definition

people who operate aircraft, especially as a profession; the plural form of 'aviator'

Example

Tuan's grandfather was one of the first aviators to fly solo across the Pacific Ocean.

early aviators in historical contexts

A museum in Seattle displays the flight logs of early aviators from the nineteen-twenties.

Common collocations
  • early aviators
  • military aviators
  • commercial aviators
  • aviators flew
Synonyms
  • pilot

    the standard modern term; 'pilot' is used much more frequently than 'aviator' in everyday speech

  • flyer

    informal term; can also refer to aircraft passengers, so less precise

  • airman

    specifically a member of the air force; more restricted in meaning

Antonyms
  • passenger

    a person who travels in an aircraft but does not operate it

Grammar Patterns

the + adj + aviators

early/military/commercial aviators

Usage Note

This is the plural of the countable noun 'aviator' (singular). The term sounds somewhat formal or old-fashioned; 'pilot' is far more common in everyday modern English.

Common Mistakes

He is an experienced aviators.
He is an experienced aviator.
'Aviators' with an '-s' is the plural form. Use 'aviator' (no -s) for one person.

Word family

Synonym discussion

Sense: noun/1

'Aviators' refers specifically to sunglasses with thin metal frames and teardrop-shaped lenses, a design originally created for US military pilots in the 1930s. 'Wayfarers' are another classic style but with thick plastic trapezoidal frames and a completely different silhouette. 'Shades' is an informal umbrella term for any kind of sunglasses — it does not name a specific design. 'Sunglasses' is the general category name for eyewear that protects the eyes from sunlight, while 'aviators' picks out one particular style within that category. For example: 'She stepped off the plane in her classic aviators' describes a specific look; 'He grabbed his shades and headed to the beach' is casual and non-specific.

aviators ↗wayfarers ↗shades ↗sunglasses ↗

Common collocations

Nouns

Phrases

  • pair of aviators
  • aviators with [gold/silver/black] frames

Etymology

LatinFrenchEnglish

The word 'aviator' comes from Latin 'avis' meaning 'bird', passing through French 'aviation' (the science of flying). The term entered English in the late 1800s as aviation technology developed. The eyewear style called 'aviators' was designed in the 1930s for US Army Air Corps pilots, who needed large, wraparound lenses to protect their eyes during high-altitude flight. The design became a fashion icon and kept the name long after its original military use.

First known use

1868

1868, in the meaning defined at sense 2