noun
Uncommon
iris
EYE-rihs
Iris (noun) means the coloured ring of muscle around the pupil of the eye that controls how much light gets in. Example: “Her iris was a striking shade of green.”
noun
1
The coloured ring of muscle around the pupil of the eye that controls how much light gets in.
"Her iris was a striking shade of green."
"The doctor shone a light in his eye to check how the iris reacted."
"In bright sunlight, the iris narrows the pupil so less light gets through."
2
A garden plant with tall, sword-shaped leaves and large, often purple or yellow flowers.
"A row of purple irises bloomed along the garden fence."
"We planted an iris by the pond, and it flowers every spring."
"Tall irises swayed in the breeze beside the old stone wall."
How to use iris
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishEither the coloured part of the eye, or a tall flowering garden plant — same word, two common meanings.
Common pairings
iris colour
iris scan
blooming iris
Vocabulary Flow
Build your vocabulary from words like iris.
Vocabulary Flow serves the next word, and the next — meaning, pronunciation and an example each time. Practice at your level, or learn English in your own language.
Start vocabulary practice
Word forms
- Plural
- irises, irides
- Third person singular
- irises
- Past tense
- irised
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
Her _____ was a striking shade of green.
Etymology
From Latin īris, from Ancient Greek ἶρις (îris, "rainbow") — the eye and flower senses both nod to the range of colours involved.
Synonyms
View more →
fleur-de-lis
flag
Related words
Rhymes for iris
See all rhymes for iris →Frequently asked questions
What does “iris” mean?
The word “iris” means the coloured ring of muscle around the pupil of the eye that controls how much light gets in. In plain terms, either the coloured part of the eye, or a tall flowering garden plant — same word, two common meanings.
How do you pronounce “iris”?
“Iris” is pronounced EYE-rihs (/ˈaɪ.ɹɪs/ in IPA).
How do you use “iris” in a sentence?
Here is “iris” used in a sentence: “Her iris was a striking shade of green.”
What part of speech is “iris”?
“Iris” is a noun.
Where does the word “iris” come from?
The word “iris” comes from Ancient Greek. From Latin īris, from Ancient Greek ἶρις (îris, "rainbow") — the eye and flower senses both nod to the range of colours involved.
Is “iris” a common word?
“Iris” is an uncommon word in modern English.
How many meanings does “iris” have?
“Iris” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: the coloured ring of muscle around the pupil of the eye that controls how much light gets in.
What is the difference between the iris and the pupil of the eye?
The iris is the coloured ring of muscle surrounding the pupil, while the pupil is the black opening at its centre that light passes through. The iris controls how much light enters the eye by adjusting the size of the pupil.
Is iris the same as an iris flower?
No, iris refers to two different things: the coloured part of the eye and a garden plant with tall, sword-shaped leaves and large purple or yellow flowers. Both senses share the same word but describe unrelated things.
What gives the iris of the eye its colour?
The iris is the coloured ring of muscle around the pupil, and its colour comes from the amount and type of pigment in that muscle tissue. This is the same structure that controls how much light reaches the retina.
