Definition

A type of plant that belongs to the genus Euphrasia, known for its small, toothed leaves and clusters of white and purple flowers.

Example

The gardener planted eyebright to attract pollinators to the garden.

Conversation

Have you ever seen an eyebright plant in the wild?

No, I haven't! What does it look like?

It has these small, white and purplish flowers that are really pretty.

That sounds lovely! I’d love to spot one on our next hike.

Synonyms & Antonyms

Root Explanation

Eyebright is formed from "eye" (from Old English "ēage", meaning the organ of sight) and "bright" (from Old English "beorht", meaning shining or radiant). The word refers to a plant that is believed to be beneficial for eye health, hence the combination of eye and bright suggests something that brightens or aids the eyes.

Memory Tip

Think of the word 'eye' as the organ of sight and 'bright' as something that shines or helps. This helps you remember that 'eyebright' refers to a plant that is thought to brighten or improve eye health.

Visually Confused Words