eagleeyed

Eagle-eyed is an English adjective used to describe someone with exceptionally keen vision or vigilance. It commonly refers to the ability to notice small details, often under challenging circumstances, or to recall exact information. The term is widely applied to people such as inspectors, editors, security personnel, athletes, or watchers who are unusually perceptive. It can also describe a highly thorough search or examination, as in eagle-eyed reconnaissance or an eagle-eyed audit.

The phrase combines the noun eagle with the past participle suffix -ed, forming a compound that likens human sight to the bird's reputed acuity. Its figurative sense appeared in Early Modern English, drawing on longstanding associations between eagles and sharp perception. The imagery of an eagle watching from a high vantage point reinforces the idea of vigilance and exactitude beyond ordinary sight.

Hyphenation varies; eagle-eyed or less commonly eagleeyed appear in dictionaries and contemporary usage. Related expressions include hawk-eyed and sharp-eyed, which carry similar meanings. The term remains metaphorical rather than clinical, and while it often describes sight, it can also refer to keen attention to detail or memory. In everyday language, it can describe a person, an observation, or a search that stands out for its precision.