1 C1 formal
Of a camera or visual aperture, to close so that the visible image shrinks to a circle and disappears.
"The cartoon irised out on the hero's smiling face."
inseparable
iris out
C1 formal inseparable transitive/intransitive
To end a shot by closing the visible image into a shrinking circle.
In plain English
make the picture close into a small circle and disappear
What does "iris out" mean?
2 meanings, ordered from most common to least. Color-coded by CEFR level.
2 C1 formal
To edit a shot or scene using a circular closing transition.
"They irised out the final scene instead of using a standard fade."
inseparable
Literal vs figurative
Words literally mean
The camera iris closes outward until the picture disappears.
Actually means
make the picture close into a small circle and disappear
Usage tip
A specialized film term, especially associated with older cinema styles and editing language.
Words that pair with "iris out"
Natural word combinations native speakers use most often.
shot scene image frame film ending
How to conjugate "iris out"
The five tense forms you'll use most often.
Base
iris out
I/you/we/they
3rd person
irises out
he/she/it
Past simple
irised out
yesterday
Past participle
irised out
have + pp
-ing form
irising out
continuous
Hear "iris out" in the wild
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