iris

play

noun \ ˈī-rəs \

Updated on: 11 Sep 2017

Definition of iris

plural irises also irides play \ˈī-rə-ˌdēz, ˈir-ə-\

1 :rainbow

a :the opaque contractile diaphragm perforated by the pupil and forming the colored portion of the eye — see eye illustration

b :iris diaphragm; also :a similar device with a circular opening that can be varied in size

3 also plural iris :any of a large genus (Iris of the family Iridaceae, the iris family) of perennial herbaceous plants with linear usually basal leaves and large showy flowers

See iris defined for English-language learners

See iris defined for kids

Recent Examples of iris from the Web

My grandmother’s watercolors were mostly of flowers, bearded iris on a white background or clusters of pink and yellow chrysanthemums.

— aaron gilbreath, Longreads, "Reflections of an Accidental Florist," 28 Aug. 2017
During normal daylight conditions, the eye's iris contracts so that only a small amount of light passes through the lens and reaches the retina.

— leada gore, AL.com, "Hurt your eyes during the eclipse? Symptoms, what to look for and when you will know," 21 Aug. 2017
The porch is brimming with passion flower; iris; and herbs, peppers, and okra in small pots.

— rebecca ramsey, The Cut, "The 43-Day Fashion Shoot," 20 Aug. 2017
Popular varieties like daffodil, iris, lily-of-the-valley, ivy, and even mistletoe are poisonous when consumed, according to the National Capital Poison Center.

— beth anne macaluso, Redbook, "16 Common Household Items That Could Kill You," 9 Aug. 2017
The home is delightfully British, with a brick and timber façade and a cute garden with honeysuckle, roses, lavender, and irises.

— melissa minton, Teen Vogue, "This House Featured in Harry Potter's Godric's Hollow Is on the Market," 9 Aug. 2017
For today’s teens, this often means arrowed eyes or smoky eye shadows, deep blue, gray, green or amethyst eye irises, or pastel, neon, rainbow or denim hair.

— rima himelstein, Philly.com, "Make up, hair dyeing, cosmetic contact lenses: Are there any health risks?," 8 Aug. 2017
Out in the real world, Doppelgangers appear to have entirely black irises.

— joanna robinson, vanityfair.com, "Twin Peaks: Trying to Make Sense of the Show’s Most Bonkers Episode," 26 June 2017
For those who tend to forget passwords and logins, the S8 has a fingerprint scanner and an iris scanner that can do the logging in for you.

— andrea smith, NBC News, "Top Tech Gifts for Father’s Day," 15 June 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'iris.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Illustration of iris

Origin and Etymology of iris

Middle English, "iris of the eye, the plant Iris germanica," borrowed from Latin īrid-, īris "rainbow, the plant Iris pallida or related species," borrowed from Greek īrid-, îris "rainbow, iridescent halo around the moon, a flame, etc., iris of the eye, the plant Iris pallida or related species," going back to *wīrid-, *wīris, of uncertain origin

Note: Traditionally, Greek îris "rainbow" (for which an original digamma [letter representing the sound w] is assured by an inscription from Corinth and the metrics of epic poetry) has been regarded as a derivative of Indo-European *u̯ei̯H- "plait, wrap," parallel to Germanic *wīr- (see ¹wire). However, the variant éris recorded by the Greek lexicographer Hesychius, as well as the dubious character of *wīrid- as an Indo-European formation (< *u̯ih₁-r-i-?) has drawn this etymology into question. Perhaps a substratal word.

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 15th century

See Words from the same year

Other Seed Plant Terms

aubergine, box, bramble, briar, composite, perpetual, pulse, trefoil

iris

verb

Definition of iris

transitive verb

:to make iridescent

First Known Use of iris

1816

Iris

play

noun \ ˈī-rəs \

Definition of Iris

:the Greek goddess of the rainbow and a messenger of the gods

Recent Examples of iris from the Web

My grandmother’s watercolors were mostly of flowers, bearded iris on a white background or clusters of pink and yellow chrysanthemums.

— aaron gilbreath, Longreads, "Reflections of an Accidental Florist," 28 Aug. 2017
During normal daylight conditions, the eye's iris contracts so that only a small amount of light passes through the lens and reaches the retina.

— leada gore, AL.com, "Hurt your eyes during the eclipse? Symptoms, what to look for and when you will know," 21 Aug. 2017
The porch is brimming with passion flower; iris; and herbs, peppers, and okra in small pots.

— rebecca ramsey, The Cut, "The 43-Day Fashion Shoot," 20 Aug. 2017
Popular varieties like daffodil, iris, lily-of-the-valley, ivy, and even mistletoe are poisonous when consumed, according to the National Capital Poison Center.

— beth anne macaluso, Redbook, "16 Common Household Items That Could Kill You," 9 Aug. 2017
The home is delightfully British, with a brick and timber façade and a cute garden with honeysuckle, roses, lavender, and irises.

— melissa minton, Teen Vogue, "This House Featured in Harry Potter's Godric's Hollow Is on the Market," 9 Aug. 2017
For today’s teens, this often means arrowed eyes or smoky eye shadows, deep blue, gray, green or amethyst eye irises, or pastel, neon, rainbow or denim hair.

— rima himelstein, Philly.com, "Make up, hair dyeing, cosmetic contact lenses: Are there any health risks?," 8 Aug. 2017
Out in the real world, Doppelgangers appear to have entirely black irises.

— joanna robinson, vanityfair.com, "Twin Peaks: Trying to Make Sense of the Show’s Most Bonkers Episode," 26 June 2017
For those who tend to forget passwords and logins, the S8 has a fingerprint scanner and an iris scanner that can do the logging in for you.

— andrea smith, NBC News, "Top Tech Gifts for Father’s Day," 15 June 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'Iris.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of iris

Latin, from Greek

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 15th century

See Words from the same year

Other Mythology and Folklore Terms

elysian, fay, muse, nimbus, phoenix

IRIS Defined for English Language Learners

iris

play

noun

Definition of iris for English Language Learners

: the colored part of your eye
: a plant with long pointed leaves and large blue or yellow flowers

IRIS Defined for Kids

iris

play

noun \ ˈī-rəs \

Definition of iris for Students

1 :the colored part around the pupil of an eye

2 :a plant with long pointed leaves and large usually brightly colored flowers

Medical Dictionary

iris

play

noun \ ˈī-rəs \

medical Definition of iris

plural irises or irides play \ˈī-rə-ˌdēz, ˈir-ə-\

1 :the opaque muscular contractile diaphragm that is suspended in the aqueous humor in front of the lens of the eye, is perforated by the pupil and is continuous peripherally with the ciliary body, has a deeply pigmented posterior surface which excludes the entrance of light except through the pupil and a colored anterior surface which determines the color of the eyes

2 :iris diaphragm