glassy

/ˈɡlɑːsi/ (bre, ipa) · /ˈɡlæsi/ (ame, ipa) · /ˈgla-sē/ (ame, mw)

glassy — adjective

  • glassypositive
  • glassiercomparative
  • glassiestsuperlative

1. describes a surface that is very smooth and bright, reflecting light like a mirr

1.形容詞B1
釋義

describes a surface that is very smooth and bright, reflecting light like a mirror — for example, a calm lake, a polished table top, or a frozen road after rain.

例句

The lake was so glassy that the hikers saw every mountain peak reflected in it.

glassy + lake (natural, calm water)

Takashi spent two hours polishing the oak table until its top had a perfect glassy finish.

glassy + finish (achieved through polishing)

同義詞
  • smooth

    general term; does not imply shine or light reflection

  • glossy

    shiny in an artificial, printed, or coated way — used for paper, photos, lip gloss

  • sleek

    smooth and elegant, often describing a well-designed shape or hair

  • shiny

    simpler, more general; covers both natural and artificial shine

反義詞
  • rough

    not smooth to the touch

  • dull

    not reflecting light; the opposite of shiny

  • matte

    having a flat, non-shiny finish

文法句型

glassy + noun (surface, lake, floor)

用法筆記

This sense is most commonly used for natural surfaces (water, ice) or polished man-made surfaces (floors, tables). It is less common for small objects.

常見錯誤

❌The glassy window is broken.
✅The glass window is broken.
💡'glassy' means 'like glass', not 'made of glass'. Use 'glass' (adjective) for the material itself.

2. describes eyes that are wide open, unmoving, and show no emotion or awareness —

2.形容詞B2
釋義

describes eyes that are wide open, unmoving, and show no emotion or awareness — usually a sign of shock, serious illness, extreme tiredness, or the effect of drugs or alcohol.

例句

Kwame stared at the accident scene with a glassy expression, unable to process what he had just seen.

glassy + expression (shock)

When Diego woke up after surgery, his eyes were glassy and he did not recognise his own sister.

同義詞
  • vacant

    empty of thought; more common in formal writing

  • blank

    showing no expression; simpler and more frequent in everyday speech

  • expressionless

    showing no emotion at all; broader than 'glassy', which looks physically fixed

  • dazed

    confused and unable to think clearly; implies disorientation more than empty eyes

反義詞
  • alert

    fully awake and aware

  • bright

    lively and full of energy in the eyes

  • lively

    full of life and expression

文法句型

glassy + eyes / stare / look / expression

eyes + be + glassy

用法筆記

Distinguish from sense 1 (SMOOTH AND SHINY): this sense applies only to eyes or facial expressions. When describing a person's manner rather than their physical eyes, 'glassy' suggests a temporary, often worrying loss of awareness, not a personality trait.

常見錯誤

❌He has glassy eyes because he is a shy person.
✅He had glassy eyes because he had not slept for two days.
💡'glassy eyes' describes a temporary physical state (tiredness, shock, illness), not a personality trait.