lynxeyed

Lynxeyed is an English adjective describing exceptionally keen eyesight or perceptive observation. The term evokes the sharp vision traditionally attributed to the lynx and is formed from lynx plus eye, with the common modern spelling often appearing as lynx-eyed; the unhyphenated form lynxeyed is found in older or more literary texts.

The word is largely literary or rhetorical in contemporary use and is uncommon in formal or scientific writing. It can refer to humans, animals, or observers who display acute visual acuity or meticulous attention to detail. In figurative use, a lynxeyed person is one who notices subtle clues or hidden implications that others might miss. For example, a lynxeyed investigator or a lynxeyed reader connotes a high level of discernment.

Compared with more familiar alternatives such as eagle-eyed or hawk-eyed, lynxeyed carries a slightly more specialized or understated tone, often implying quiet precision rather than obvious swiftness. The term may appear in poetry, character descriptions, or generous praise, but remains relatively rare in everyday language.

See also: eagle-eyed; hawk-eyed; sharp-sighted; visual acuity.