shutter
noun · verb
Simple meaning
The part of a camera, normally closed, that opens for a controlled period of time to let light in when taking a picture.
Pronunciation
Say it like this:
shuhterSay the bold part a little louder.
IPA pronunciation (US)
ˈʃʌtɚ
This word is pronounced essentially the same in American and British English, so one transcription covers both.
IPA (International Phonetic Alphabet) is a standard way of writing speech sounds.
Definition
Everyday modern meanings first, grouped by part of speech.
noun
usually in the plural
Protective panels, usually wooden, placed over windows to block out the light.
photography
The part of a camera, normally closed, that opens for a controlled period of time to let light in when taking a picture.
One who shuts or closes something.
Any other opening and closing device.
verb
transitivefigurative
To close up (a building) for a prolonged period of inoccupancy.
transitive
To cancel or terminate.
To rain heavily.
Close with shutters
“We shuttered the window to keep the house cool.”
Word at a Glance
- Difficulty
- B2 · Upper Intermediate (estimated)
- Frequency
- Moderately Common
- Formality
- Technical
Word Aura™
How this word commonly comes across.
Aura for this meaning
This meaning: (photography) The part of a camera, normally closed, that opens for a controlled period of time to let light in when taking a picture.
Used this way, shutter is a reasonably familiar word that usually carries little praise or criticism of its own. It usually sounds natural in a wide range of settings.
- Emotional tone
- Neutral
- Formality
- Neutral
- Intensity
- Not strongly marked
- How common
- Moderately common
- Connotation
- Matter-of-fact
- Usage feel
- Neutral and straightforward
Word Aura describes common impressions, not a measurement. Tone changes with sentence, speaker, relationship and situation.
More ways to use shutter
- “We shuttered the window to keep the house cool.”verb
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Common Patterns and Combinations
How this word naturally appears with others.
Related Words
Connected to the same idea, not synonyms.
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Dictionary data from Wiktionary via the Free Dictionary API. Simple meanings, combinations and word intelligence are built from verified reference data, no AI is used to load this page.