apple of the eye

US/ˈæp.əl.əv.ðiˈaɪ/

noun

The pupil, or pupil and iris, of the eye, originally believed to be spherical; also, the eyeball.

Similar
appleeye-apple
OriginMiddle English appel of the eyȝe →
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Meanings

nounapple of the eye (plural apples of the eye)

plural apples of the eye

  1. The pupil, or pupil and iris, of the eye, originally believed to be spherical; also, the eyeball.

    Synonyms: apple, eye-apple

Synonyms & antonyms

nounThe pupil, or pupil and iris, of the eye, originally believed to be spherical; also, the eyeball.

Similar
appleeye-apple

Origin

  1. Middle Englishij appel
  2. Middle Englishappel of the eyȝe
  3. Englishapple of the eye

From Middle English appel of the eyȝe, appel of þe ye, perhaps dissimilated from Middle English ij appel (literally “eye-apple”). More at eye-apple.

More words from Middle English

Full word history & related roots →

Rhymes & wordplay

Rhymes with apple of the eye

byimybuyhighywhyreplyjJulytryapplysupplyhieyeguyfidiflyskynearbykyspysi
All rhymes →
Cite this entry
APA

apple of the eye. (n.d.). In WatkinsX Dictionary. Retrieved November 5, 2026, from https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/apple%20of%20the%20eye

MLA

“apple of the eye.” WatkinsX Dictionary, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/apple%20of%20the%20eye. Accessed November 5, 2026.

Chicago

WatkinsX Dictionary, s.v. “apple of the eye,” accessed November 5, 2026, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/apple%20of%20the%20eye.

Source: apple of the eye on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.