aperture

aperture — noun

1. a very small gap or cut in something solid, often one that lets air, light, or a

1.nounC1
Definition

a very small gap or cut in something solid, often one that lets air, light, or another object pass through.

Example

The cat watched the garden through an aperture in the wooden fence.

through an aperture in [object]

Warm air escaped from an aperture near the roof of the tent.

aperture near the roof

Common collocations
  • narrow aperture
  • tiny aperture
  • aperture in the wall
  • through an aperture
Synonyms
  • opening

    the broad everyday word; aperture is more technical and usually smaller

  • hole

    more informal and often rounder or rougher in shape

  • slit

    emphasises a long, thin shape

Grammar Patterns

an aperture in [surface/object]

through an aperture

Usage Note

Often followed by 'in' or 'through'. Distinguish from sense 2: this sense can describe any small gap in a surface or object, not specifically the light opening inside a camera lens.

Common Mistakes

The wall has an aperture for cars.
The wall has an opening for cars.
'aperture' usually refers to a small or narrow opening, not a large entrance.

2. in photography, the adjustable gap inside a camera lens that decides how much li

2.nounC1
Definition

in photography, the adjustable gap inside a camera lens that decides how much light enters when a picture is taken.

Example

Nina widened the aperture before taking photos in the dark church.

widen the aperture in low light

A wide aperture blurred the lights behind the singer on stage.

wide aperture + blurred background

Common collocations
  • wide aperture
  • small aperture
  • adjust the aperture
  • aperture setting
  • aperture priority
Synonyms
  • iris

    technical term for the part in the lens that opens and closes

  • diaphragm

    formal optics term for the mechanism that forms the opening

Grammar Patterns

adjust the aperture

a wide/small aperture

set the aperture to [number]

Usage Note

Usually discussed together with shutter speed and ISO. A wide aperture lets in more light and often gives a blurred background, while a small aperture lets in less light and usually keeps more of the picture sharp.

Common Mistakes

I opened the lens to let more light in.
I opened the aperture to let more light in.
the lens is the whole part; the aperture is the adjustable opening inside it.

Synonym discussion

Sense: noun/1

These words all describe a space in something, but they do not sound equally technical. 'Opening' is the general everyday choice and can be large or small: an opening in a wall, an opening in the schedule. 'Hole' is also common, but it often suggests a round space or a place made by damage or drilling. 'Slit' is narrower and longer, like the cut in an envelope or curtain. 'Aperture' is the most technical of the four. It usually refers to a small, purposeful gap in equipment, a surface, or a scientific context. A builder might say 'an opening in the roof', but a camera manual or lab report is more likely to say 'an aperture'.

aperture ↗opening ↗hole ↗slit

Common collocations

Prepositions

  • aperture in
  • through an aperture

Etymology

LatinEnglish

Aperture comes from Latin 'apertura', meaning 'opening', from the verb 'aperire', 'to open'. In English it first named a physical gap or passage. Later, science and photography gave it a more exact use for the opening in an optical instrument that controls incoming light.