iris

1 of 3

noun (1)

ˈī-rəs How to pronounce iris (audio)
plural irises also irides ˈī-rə-ˌdēz How to pronounce iris (audio)
ˈir-ə-
1
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
2
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
3
: rainbow

Illustration of iris

Illustration of iris
  • iris 2

iris

2 of 3

verb

irised; irising; irises

transitive verb

: to make iridescent

Iris

3 of 3

noun (2)

ˈī-rəs How to pronounce Iris (audio)
: the Greek goddess of the rainbow and a messenger of the gods

Examples of iris in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Noun
The irises are beginning to sprout through still-frozen ground, doggedly determined to usher in spring. — Lauren Warnecke, Chicago Tribune, 22 Mar. 2025 California is famous for its native wildflowers that blossom each year—lookie-loos might spy iris, sky lupines, bluebells, dessert lilies, and arguably the most famous flower (the state’s official one), the California poppy. — Mae Hamilton, AFAR Media, 20 Mar. 2025 The new model comes in four colors: obsidian, porcelain, peony and iris, as revealed on the Google Blog. — David Phelan, Forbes, 19 Mar. 2025 The foliage is lovely throughout the summer and acts like a green shrub backdrop to irises, poppies, roses, and alliums. — Mary Marlowe Leverette, Southern Living, 9 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for iris

Word History

Etymology

Noun (1)

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 wire entry 1). 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.

Noun (2)

Latin, from Greek

First Known Use

Noun (1)

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 3

Verb

1816, in the meaning defined above

Noun (2)

15th century, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of iris was in the 15th century

Phrases Containing iris

Rhymes for iris

See All Rhymes for iris

Browse Nearby Words

Irigoyen
iris
Iris
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Iris.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/iris. Accessed 28 Mar. 2025.

Copy Citation

Share

Kids Definition

iris

noun
ˈī-rəs
plural irises
-rə-səz
 or irides
ˈī-rə-ˌdēz,
ˈir-ə-
1
: the colored part around the pupil of the eye that changes in size to control the amount of light entering the pupil
2
also plural iris : any of a large genus of plants with long pointed leaves and large usually brightly colored flowers
3
: iris diaphragm

Medical Definition

iris

noun
ˈī-rəs How to pronounce iris (audio)
plural irises or irides ˈī-rə-ˌdēz How to pronounce iris (audio) ˈir-ə- How to pronounce iris (audio)
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

More from Merriam-Webster on iris

Nglish: Translation of iris for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about iris

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

How to Use Em Dashes (—), En Dashes (–) , and Hyphens (-)

The Difference Between 'i.e.' and 'e.g.'

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?

Words You Always Have to Look Up

Democracy or Republic: What's the difference?
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

Top 10 Sophisticated Insults

Flower Etymologies For Your Spring Garden

More Words with Remarkable Origins

Terroir, Oenophile, & Magnum: Ten Words About Wine

8 Words for Lesser-Known Musical Instruments
See More

Popular

See More

How to Use Em Dashes (—), En Dashes (–) , and Hyphens (-)

Top 10 Sophisticated Insults

Flower Etymologies For Your Spring Garden
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Word Game Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
burrowing owl athene cunicularia tilts its head outside its burrow on marco island florida
Guess the Curious Origins of These Everyday Words Oh, that’s where that comes from…
See All