Eyebrow Meaning

UK /ˈaɪˌbraʊ/
US /ˈaɪˌbraʊ/
Word Definition
eyebrow meaning

Eyebrow Definition & Usage

noun

The strip of hair growing on the ridge above the eye, shaped and groomed to enhance the appearance or for functional purposes.

Examples

  • "She arched her eyebrow when she heard the shocking news."
  • "His thick eyebrows made him look more serious than he actually was."
  • "The makeup artist expertly shaped her eyebrows to complement her face."
  • "He raised his eyebrows in surprise after hearing the proposal."
  • "I forgot to pluck my eyebrows before the interview!"
noun

A raised eyebrow or the act of raising one's eyebrows can indicate surprise, skepticism, or doubt.

Examples

  • "Her comment was met with a raised eyebrow from the audience."
  • "He gave me a suspicious eyebrow when I told him the story."
  • "When she mentioned her new project, I couldn't help but raise an eyebrow."
  • "She looked at the proposal with one eyebrow slightly raised, clearly unconvinced."
  • "His eyebrow shot up when he saw the final bill."
verb

To raise one or both eyebrows, often as a response to surprise, curiosity, or disapproval.

Examples

  • "She eyebrowed him skeptically when he suggested the idea."
  • "He couldn't help but eyebrow at the outrageous claim."
  • "The teacher eyebrowed at the student's excuse for being late."
  • "Did you just eyebrow me when I said that?"
  • "She eyebrowed in confusion, unsure whether to believe him."

Cultural Context

Eyebrows have been an important facial feature across various cultures, with different societies placing different levels of importance on eyebrow grooming and styling. In ancient Egypt, for example, both men and women used eyebrow pencils to darken their eyebrows. Today, eyebrows are heavily associated with personal grooming, with various styles (e.g., thick, thin, arched, straight) often representing different beauty trends.

The Eyebrow Test

Story

The Eyebrow Test

Max had always been proud of his eyebrow game. He spent hours in front of the mirror shaping them just right, making sure each hair was in place. One afternoon, while at the coffee shop, he overheard a conversation between two women sitting at the next table. One woman was explaining her newest business idea, but Max couldn't help but notice the way the other woman kept raising her eyebrows, clearly skeptical of the plan. It was as if her eyebrows were doing all the talking. 'Interesting,' Max thought. He’d always been curious about the subtle language of eyebrows, how just a raised arch could communicate so much. With a confident smile, Max turned to the barista and raised one of his own eyebrows playfully, as if to say, 'I’m ready for my coffee.' The barista, without missing a beat, raised an eyebrow in return. It was a perfect silent exchange of understanding. Later that evening, Max met his best friend, Olivia, at their favorite restaurant. As they sat down, he couldn't help but notice Olivia's raised eyebrows when he mentioned his recent promotion at work. 'What’s with the eyebrow?' Max asked, raising his own in return. 'I just thought you'd be happier about it,' Olivia replied, her eyebrow still arched. 'Is everything okay?' Max paused, his own eyebrow lowering as he realized how much pressure he'd been under lately. 'Yeah, I think I just need to breathe for a moment.' As they laughed, Max realized how much expression could be conveyed through something as simple as a pair of eyebrows. He might not have known all the answers, but the 'eyebrow test' was certainly something he’d come to trust in his everyday life.

The Eyebrow Test