What does eyedrops mean?
Eyedrops are liquids delivered into the eye one drop at a time, serving as one of the most common ways to administer medicine or relief to the eye's surface. They range from over-the-counter lubricating drops that ease the dryness caused by screens and contact lenses, to prescription formulations that treat glaucoma, infections, inflammation, and allergies. Because the eye absorbs medication efficiently yet is highly sensitive, eyedrops must be sterile, precisely dosed, and often refrigerated or discarded weeks after opening. The word is nearly always plural — the singular "eye drop" usually means one individual drop rather than the bottle — and both solid and spaced spellings appear in everyday use. In clinical settings the phrase "instill eyedrops" replaces the casual "put in," reflecting the care the procedure demands. Simple in concept but essential in practice, eyedrops connect an ancient instinct (soothing tired eyes) with modern pharmacology.
noun (plural)Eyedrops are a liquid medication or lubricant administered one drop at a time directly into the eye, used to treat conditions such as glaucoma, infection, dryness, or allergies.
- A medicated or lubricating liquid applied to the eye in single drops, for treating disease, relieving dryness, or dilating the pupil.
"The doctor prescribed antibiotic eyedrops to clear up the infection."
"She keeps lubricating eyedrops on her desk because screen work dries out her eyes."
"The glaucoma patient uses prescription eyedrops every night before bed."
The plural is the default form since the substance is administered drop by drop; the singular "eye drop" denotes one drop or one dose rather than the bottle of medication.
"He bought a fresh bottle of eyedrops at the pharmacy."
In Renaissance Italy, women used belladonna eyedrops to dilate their pupils, believing large dark eyes made them look beautiful — even though the plant's name literally means 'beautiful lady' and the drops blurred vision and could be toxic.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of eyedrops
The word is a straightforward English compound of "eye," from Old English "ēage" of Germanic origin, and "drop," from Old English "dropa," likewise Germanic. The compound arose naturally as liquid medicines came to be measured and administered in single drops; it belongs to the same transparent pattern of formation as "eardrops" and "nosedrops." Cognate compounds built on "eye" and "drop" abound in English, from "teardrop" and "raindrop" to "eyeglass" and "eyewitness."
Related word forms
How eyedrops is actually used
"Eyedrops" is almost always used in the plural, since the product is dispensed drop by drop; the singular "eye drop" typically refers to a single dose. The two-word spelling "eye drops" is equally standard, and medical writing often prefers the more formal term "ophthalmic solution."
Easily confused with eyedrops
Eardrops are liquid medication instilled into the ear, whereas eyedrops are instilled into the eye.