eye roll

noun

variants or less commonly eye-roll

ˈī-ˌrōl 

plural eye rolls also eye-rolls

: an upward turning of the eyes especially as an expression of annoyance, exasperation, disbelief, etc. : an instance of rolling the eyes

Historically, anyone who dares to give pro athletes mental advice—be they M.D.s, psychologists or shamans—often gets the eye roll or the pat on the back.

—Jaimal Yogis

Contempt, one of the emotions Gottman watches for at the Love Lab, is detectable through the … buccinator, which pulls the lip corners to the side and creates a distinctly uncute dimple; it's often combined with an upward eye roll.

—Casey Greenfield

His stories always took their time, his daughter said, and usually some winding turns, too. His family's eye-rolls only made him go slower.

—Peter Schworm

"Mom!" She gave me the parents-are-weird eye-roll. The truth is, though, she's proud of me.

—Katha Pollitt

Examples of eye roll in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Their sense of encouragement, which I’d once been tempted to dismiss with an eye roll as over-the-top, became a lifeline. —Danny Heitman, Christian Science Monitor, 2 Apr. 2025

Gossip, eye rolls, politics (literal and social)—it’s all excellent fodder for the White Lotus treatment. —Lindy Segal, Glamour, 31 Mar. 2025

Baldwin said with confidence, to which Carmen responded with an eye roll. —Sara Vallone, Miami Herald, 26 Mar. 2025

Various eye exercises, such as barrel cards, visual scanning, eye rolls, and pencil push-ups, can also improve eyesight and optimal eye functioning. —Laura Schober, Health, 12 Feb. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1928, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for eye roll

• amphibole
• asystole
• buttonhole
• casserole
• centriole
• decontrol
• glycerol
• metropole
• monopole
• multipole
• omeprazole
• oriole