lens
3 synonyms and 0 antonyms for lens, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Noun — A curved piece of glass or plastic that bends light to focus or spread it out, used in glasses, cameras, and telescopes.
Synonyms
Everyday swaps
Common words most readers know — safe in any writing.
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
How to use lens
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
Etymology
From Latin lēns, "lentil" — glass lenses were named for their lentil-like shape.
Full origin of lens →Frequently asked questions
What does “lens” mean?
The word “lens” means a curved piece of glass or plastic that bends light to focus or spread it out, used in glasses, cameras, and telescopes. In plain terms, a curved piece of glass that focuses light — in a camera, glasses, telescope, or the eye — or, figuratively, a particular angle of viewing something.
How do you pronounce “lens”?
“Lens” is pronounced lehnz (/lɛnz/ in IPA).
How do you use “lens” in a sentence?
Here is “lens” used in a sentence: “She wiped a smudge off the camera lens before taking the photo.”
What part of speech is “lens”?
“Lens” is a noun.
Where does the word “lens” come from?
The word “lens” comes from Latin. From Latin lēns, "lentil" — glass lenses were named for their lentil-like shape.
Is “lens” a common word?
“Lens” is a fairly common word in modern English.
How many meanings does “lens” have?
“Lens” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a curved piece of glass or plastic that bends light to focus or spread it out, used in glasses, cameras, and telescopes.
How do you spell the singular — "lens" or "lense"?
The correct singular spelling is "lens," and the plural is "lenses." "Lense" is a common misspelling and is not accepted in standard English.
What is the difference between a convex and a concave lens?
Both are lenses that bend light, but a convex lens curves outward and brings light rays together to a focus, while a concave lens curves inward and spreads light rays apart. Convex lenses are used to magnify, and concave lenses to diverge light.
What is the difference between a "lens" and a "mirror"?
A lens is a curved piece of glass or plastic that bends light passing through it to focus or spread it. A mirror reflects light off its surface rather than letting it pass through, so a lens transmits light while a mirror bounces it back.
What is the difference between a camera lens and the lens of the eye?
A camera lens is a curved piece of glass or plastic that focuses light onto film or a sensor. The lens of the eye is the clear part inside the eye that focuses light onto the retina, working in a similar way but as living tissue.