Word
aperture
Phoneticsaper·ture
US/ˈæpɝtʃɝ/
UK/ˈæpətʃɐ/
Definitions
01camera/optics
B2 · Upper Intermediate Countable noun Science Technical
n. the opening in a camera lens that you can make wider or narrower to control the amount of light.
n. the variable opening in an optical system, such as a camera lens, that determines the amount of light admitted to the focal plane.
“If you use a wider aperture, your photos will have a blurry background.”
“The photographer adjusted the aperture to f/2.8 to achieve a shallow depth of field for the portrait session.”
Synonyms
02a physical gap
C1 · Advanced Countable noun Formal
n. a small or narrow hole, gap, or opening in a surface.
n. a physical opening, hole, or gap through which light or matter may pass.
“A tiny aperture in the wall allowed a thin beam of light into the dark cave.”
“The researchers measured the precise dimensions of the aperture to ensure the gas could flow through the valve at a constant rate.”
03satellite antenna
C2 · Proficiency Countable noun Science Technical
n. the large dish or part of a satellite that sends and receives radio signals.
n. the effective area of an antenna that receives or transmits radio frequency energy.
“The satellite's large aperture allows it to send data across the ocean.”
“Engineers designed a synthetic aperture radar to provide high-resolution imagery regardless of weather conditions or time of day.”
Real-World Examples
“He used a refracting telescope with a 2.4-inch aperture and exposed a daguerreotype plate for 84 seconds as the moon passed in front of the sun.” “Social media offered a much broader aperture, and after the pandemic, many platforms got rid of fact-checkers and pulled back from policing health claims, leaving more room for misinformation.” Etymology
From late Middle English, from Latin apertūra (“an opening”), from aperiō (“to uncover, make or lay bare”) + -tūra (“-ure”, action noun suffix). Doublet of overture.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Domains
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.C1 AdvancedIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.7.0–8.0TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 5.0–5.595–113TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.945–990
- Frequency
- Frequent
- Level
- C1 · Advanced
- Updated
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QR code
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