WILD-EYED

Pronunciation (US):

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IPA (US):

 Dictionary entry overview: What does wild-eyed mean? 

• WILD-EYED (adjective)
  The adjective WILD-EYED has 2 senses:

1. appearing extremely agitated

2. not sensible about practical matters; idealistic and unrealistic

  Familiarity information: WILD-EYED used as an adjective is rare.

 Dictionary entry details 

• WILD-EYED (adjective)

Sense 1

Meaning:

Appearing extremely agitated

Context example:

crowded the wild-eyed animals into a truck

Similar:

agitated (troubled emotionally and usually deeply)

Sense 2

Meaning:

Not sensible about practical matters; idealistic and unrealistic

Synonyms:

quixotic; romantic; wild-eyed

Context example:

a wild-eyed dream of a world state

Similar:

impractical (not practical; not workable or not given to practical matters)

 Context examples 

Now he was pale and wild-eyed, gasping as he breathed like one who has run far and fast.

(The Lost World, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)

He looked wild-eyed and haggard, and I greatly fear his reason has given way.

(Dracula, by Bram Stoker)

The cub reporter was an artist, and it was a large brush with which he laid on the local color—wild-eyed long-haired men, neurasthenic and degenerate types of men, voices shaken with passion, clenched fists raised on high, and all projected against a background of oaths, yells, and the throaty rumbling of angry men.

(Martin Eden, by Jack London)

As it opened there came a tumultuous rush into the hall, rapid feet clattered up the stair, and an instant later a wild-eyed and frantic young man, pale, disheveled, and palpitating, burst into the room.

(The Return of Sherlock Holmes, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)