English Reference
noun

exposure

n.
US /ɪkˈspoʊʒɝ/ UK /ɛkspˈəʊʒɐ/ ex·po·sure UK spelling exposure's, exposure's

  1. 01 B2 Upper Intermediate

    the state of being unprotected from something harmful, like the weather or a disease.

    the condition of being exposed to or unprotected from environmental elements, pathogens, or harmful substances.

    Simple

    The hikers were suffering from exposure after spending the night in the cold rain.

    In context

    Prolonged exposure to ultraviolet radiation without adequate skin protection significantly increases the risk of long-term cellular damage.

  2. 02 B2 Upper Intermediate

    the act of showing the truth about something, especially something bad or secret.

    the revelation of an identity, fact, or situation, especially one that is shocking or illegal.

    Simple

    The newspaper's exposure of the corruption scandal led to the minister's resignation.

    In context

    The documentary provided a chilling exposure of the industry's systemic disregard for environmental safety protocols.

  3. 03 B2 Upper Intermediate

    the amount of attention someone or something gets from the public or media.

    the degree of public visibility or media attention afforded to a person, brand, or product.

    Simple

    The young singer gained a lot of exposure after her video went viral on social media.

    In context

    The marketing team sought maximum exposure for the new product by securing prime-time television slots and high-traffic digital banners.

  4. 04 B2 Upper Intermediate Technical Photography

    the amount of light that reaches a camera film or sensor to make a picture.

    the total amount of light allowed to fall on a photographic medium during the process of taking a photograph.

    Simple

    I used a long exposure to capture the movement of the stars at night.

    In context

    Adjusting the aperture and shutter speed allows the photographer to achieve the perfect exposure even in challenging low-light conditions.

    shutter speedlighting
  5. 05 C1 Advanced FormalTechnical

    the amount of money a person or company might lose in an investment.

    the state of being at risk of financial loss, or the total amount of money invested in a particular market.

    Simple

    The bank reduced its exposure to the housing market to avoid potential losses.

    In context

    The fund manager diversified the portfolio to limit the firm's exposure to volatile emerging markets during the economic downturn.

  6. 06 C1 Advanced Formal Horticulture

    the direction a house or garden faces, especially in relation to the sun.

    the direction in which a building or piece of land faces, or its openness to weather conditions.

    Simple

    This plant needs a southern exposure to get enough sunlight during the day.

    In context

    The architect designed the living area with a northern exposure to ensure consistent, indirect light throughout the working day.

Usage exposure to heat · multiple exposure

People aged 60 and over face dangers to their health from exposure to heat at much lower temperatures than previously thought, research has found.

The Guardian· 17 Aug 2026

My boss publicly gave me £100 in cash and said I was “so brave”: the same boss who paid me in “experience” and “exposure”.

The Guardian· 15 Aug 2026

From expose + -ure.

Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.

This entry
Level B2 · Upper Intermediate
Frequency Common
Updated