What does redeye mean?
Redeeye is an informal North American word for an overnight flight, particularly one that leaves late at night and lands early the next morning. The expression comes from the tired, bloodshot or reddened eyes that passengers may have after a sleepless journey, and it is often written as the hyphenated compound “red-eye.” In less common informal uses, a redeye can be a coffee or other strong drink intended to keep someone awake during a long night, or an alcoholic drink made with espresso and sambuca. The word is useful because it compresses an entire travel experience into a familiar expression: flying through the night while trying to rest enough to begin the day at the destination. Its tone is conversational rather than formal, and its meanings depend heavily on context.
An overnight flight, especially one that leaves late at night and arrives early in the morning.
"The redeye from Chicago landed just after dawn."
Informal, chiefly North American; commonly written “red-eye” when used attributively.
A coffee or other strong drink consumed to help someone stay awake late at night.
"She ordered a redeye and worked through the night."
Informal and less common than the flight sense.
An alcoholic drink made with espresso and sambuca.
"He ordered a redeye after dinner."
Informal; the meaning is relatively specialized and depends on regional and social context.
The plural is used for multiple overnight flights or multiple drinks of this kind.
"They booked two redeyes for the journey west."
A redeye is named for the red eyes its passengers may develop after a night of little or no sleep.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does redeye come from?
The word is an English compound of “red” and “eye,” referring literally to the reddened or bloodshot eyes associated with fatigue and lack of sleep. Its main flight sense developed from that image of travelers arriving after an overnight journey with tired, red eyes. The expression became established in American informal English during the era of widespread commercial air travel. Its additional meanings involving coffee and other drinks are later extensions based on the idea of staying awake through the night.
How redeye is actually used
Usually informal and chiefly North American in the flight sense. The term is often written hyphenated as “red-eye,” especially when used as an adjective or attributive noun, as in “red-eye flight.” The coffee and alcoholic-drink senses are also informal and less common.
Easily confused with redeye
A red eye is an eye that appears red or irritated, whereas a redeye is an informal term for an overnight flight or a strong drink used to stay awake.