globo ocular
/ˌɡlobo okuˈlaɾ/masculine
The English word "eyeball" is translated into Spanish as globo ocular.
globo ocular refers to the physical ball of the eye. If you want to express the English idiom of "eyeballing" something (estimating or judging a measurement visually), you should use the phrases calcular a ojo or tantear a ojímetro.
Meaning: ball of the eye (noun)
What does it mean word for word?
The term globo ocular is composed of globo (globe) and ocular (relating to the eye).
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
globo ocular is the technical or medical term used in formal contexts. For the idiomatic sense of estimating visually, a ojo is a common way to express "by eye" or "by eyeballing it".
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
The plural form of globo ocular is globos oculares.
How do you pronounce it?
/ˌɡlobo okuˈlaɾ/
Did you know?
- The word globo refers to both the eyeball and a party balloon, linking the biological organ to a toy through their shared spherical shape.
- The playful term ojímetro is used to describe a person's ability to estimate measurements accurately by eye, treating the 'eyemeter' as a real but invisible tool.
- While globo ocular is the correct medical term, if you were describing a person with bulging eyes in a dramatic or literary sense, you might use the term ojos saltones.
Examples in context
- El globo ocular es una estructura esencial para la visión.The eyeball is an essential structure for vision.
- ¡Ten cuidado! Me golpeaste en el ojo.Be careful! You hit me in the eyeball.
- El globo ocular es una parte delicada.The eyeball is a delicate part.
- El médico examinó mi globo ocular.The doctor examined my eyeball.
- Hay una inflamación en el globo ocular.There is inflammation in the eyeball.
Example conversation
At a medical clinic after an eye exam.
- Elena¿Siente dolor en el globo ocular, Daniel?Do you feel pain in the eyeball, Daniel?
- DanielSí, me duele un poco el globo ocular.Yes, my eyeball hurts a little bit.
- ElenaVoy a revisar su globo ocular con la luz.I am going to check your eyeball with the light.
- DanielGracias, Elena. Estoy un poco nervioso.Thank you, Elena. I am a little nervous.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “eyeball” translations and entries globo ocular, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
