Cool MateLens
UK /["/lenz/"]/US /["/lenz/"]/
Definition
a curved piece of glass or plastic that makes things look larger, smaller or clearer when you look through it
In simple words: A piece of glass or plastic that helps you see better.
Examples
- a pair of glasses with tinted lenses
- Put your hand in front of your right lens and just look through your left lens.
- She wears glasses with very thick lenses.
- a camera with an adjustable lens
- a view of Mount Kilimanjaro as seen through Eddie's camera lens
- a **lens cap/cover**
- a long-lens shot of a rare bird
- Have you got your lenses in?
Usage notes
Use 'lens' when talking about glasses, cameras, or scientific instruments. Avoid using it in very casual contexts.
Grammar pattern
lens + of + object
Memory hint
Think of a camera lens that focuses on a scene — it helps you see clearly.
Collocations
- strong
- thick
- coloured/colored
- cap
- cover
- through a/the lens
Synonyms
- optic
- glass
- scope
- filter
Antonyms
- obscuration
- blur
Common mistakes
- Mistakenly using 'lenses' when referring to a single lens.
- Confusing 'lens' with 'glasses' when describing vision aids.
- Using 'lens' as a verb instead of a noun.