iris
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.”
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.
Word forms
irised past tense, irises plural, iris plural, irides plural, irises singular
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 →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.