# image layer

CEFR B2 · Compound

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/image-layer
Updated: 2026-07-22

## Definition

one of several levels of a digital picture that you can edit separately. You use these to stack different parts of a design on top of each other without changing the whole image.

For teachers: a discrete, independent level of a digital graphic that can be manipulated without affecting other elements in the same file. Typically used in photo editing and design software to manage transparency and composition.

## Examples

- I need to hide the top image layer to see the background.
- When designing the poster, the artist kept the text on a separate image layer so the font color could be changed easily later.
- By adjusting the opacity of each image layer, the photographer created a complex composite that blended several different exposures into a single, balanced landscape.

## Usage notes

- Commonly used in the context of raster graphics software like Photoshop or GIMP.

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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.