What does myopic mean?
Myopic is an adjective with a literal and a figurative meaning. Literally, it describes someone who has short-sightedness, meaning that nearby objects can be seen clearly but distant ones appear blurred. Figuratively, it describes a person, decision, or strategy that focuses too narrowly on immediate concerns and neglects wider effects or future consequences. A myopic business plan, for example, may seek rapid profits while ignoring long-term risks, while myopic political thinking may fail to consider the interests of people outside a narrow constituency. The word is common in British and American English and often carries a critical tone: calling something myopic suggests that its limitations are significant, not merely practical. The term is especially frequent in discussions of business, politics, education, and public policy.
adjectiveMyopic means having difficulty seeing distant objects clearly, and is also used figuratively to describe a person or approach characterized by a narrow focus and lack of concern for long-term consequences.
- Having impaired distance vision, with distant objects appearing blurred.
- Characterized by a narrow focus, limited perspective, or disregard for long-term consequences.
"The company was criticized for taking a myopic approach that favored short-term profits over long-term sustainability."
"The optician explained that the patient was mildly myopic and would benefit from reading glasses."
"Rejecting the proposal as myopic, the committee argued that it ignored the needs of future generations."
Myopic literally means having a tendency to close the eye: the word comes from Greek roots meaning “to close” and “eye.”
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does myopic come from?
Myopic derives through Latin from Greek myōps, a term for a short-sighted person and literally one who “closes the eye.” The Greek elements myein, meaning “to close,” and ops, meaning “eye” provide the underlying explanation. The adjective entered English in the early 17th century, initially in medical writing, and later developed its figurative sense of narrow-mindedness or lack of foresight.
Related word forms
How myopic is actually used
The figurative sense is commonly critical, especially in political and business discussion, and implies a failure to consider broader or longer-term consequences. The literal sense is standard in medical and everyday contexts in both British and American English.
Easily confused with myopic
Myopic is the adjective describing someone with impaired distance vision or a narrow-minded approach, while myopia is the noun for the visual condition or its figurative sense.
Micropic is an uncommon shortened form of microscopic, whereas myopic specifically means short-sighted or narrowly focused.