# raccoon eyes

idiom

Source: https://englishreference.com/idiom/raccoon-eyes
Updated: 2026-08-10

## Meaning

The state of the orbits of the eyes (especially the undereye region) having a bluish-purplish coloration.

## Examples

- You have raccoon eyes from your mascara.
- After crying during the sad movie, she looked in the mirror and saw raccoon eyes.
- Exhausted from sleepless nights and heavy makeup, the performer stared at her reflection, noticing the dark, smudged raccoon eyes staring back.

## Origin

From raccoon + eyes, in reference to the color surrounding the eyes of raccoons.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.