shutter
- 01 B1 Intermediate
n.a pair of wooden or metal covers on the outside of a window that you can close to keep out light or protect the glass.
n.a hinged or removable screen or cover for a window, typically used for security, privacy, or light control.
Simple“She closed the wooden shutters to keep the house cool during the hot afternoon.”
In context“The traditional Mediterranean villas are often painted white with bright blue shutters to reflect the intense summer heat.”
- 02 B2 Upper Intermediate
n.the part of a camera that opens and closes to let light reach the film or sensor.
n.a device that allows light to pass for a determined period, exposing photographic film or a photosensitive digital sensor to light in order to capture an image.
Simple“You need a fast shutter speed to take a clear photo of a moving car.”
In context“By using a slow shutter speed, the photographer captured the movement of the waterfall as a smooth, white blur.”
- 03 C1 Advanced
v.to close a business, factory, or shop permanently.
v.to cease operations or close a facility, often permanently or for a significant duration.
Simple“The company decided to shutter its local branch after sales dropped.”
In context“Economic pressures forced the manufacturing giant to shutter several of its oldest plants, resulting in widespread job losses across the region.”
Synonyms - 04 B2 Upper Intermediate
v.to close the shutters on a window.
v.to provide or close up with shutters; often used in the context of preparing for a storm.
Simple“They spent the morning shuttering the windows before the hurricane arrived.”
In context“The residents were advised to shutter their homes and move inland before the gale-force winds reached the coast.”
“Within a few months, seven of those offices were shuttered, and half of the civil rights-related workers were gone.”
“So why insist shade and shutters are enough in summer?”
From shut + -er. Compare shuttle.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.