buttoneyed

Buttoneyed is an informal English adjective and occasional noun used to describe a person or character whose facial appearance, particularly around the eyes, is rendered in an exaggerated, humorous, or surreal way. The term is not widely attested in standard dictionaries and is mostly found in online forums, fan fiction, and other casual writing. It is formed by combining buttocks with the -eyed suffix, following a recognizable pattern such as blue-eyed or red-eyed, but its meaning is figurative rather than literal.

Usage of buttoneyed tends to be playful or satirical and is often employed to signal a whimsical or absurd tone. Because it relies on a striking and potentially provocative image, the reception of the word varies by audience and context. In some cases it can come across as lighthearted caricature, while in others it might be perceived as insulting or crude.

In practice, buttoneyed is most likely to appear in fictional descriptions, comic dialogue, or internet memes where vivid, unconventional imagery is part of the humor. Its relative rarity in formal writing reflects its status as a niche slang term rather than a standard descriptive label. As with many neologisms of this sort, its meaning and acceptability can shift over time and across communities.

See also: slang terms, neologisms, figurative language.