shutter
shutter — noun
1. a mechanical part found in cameras that briefly opens to let light reach the fil
a mechanical part found in cameras that briefly opens to let light reach the film or digital sensor for a measured period each time a photograph is taken
Eli pressed the shutter halfway to let the camera focus before taking the photo.
collocation: press the shutter
A fast shutter speed is useful when photographing children at play without blurry results.
collocation: shutter speed
The old camera's shutter made a loud clicking sound every time Minh took a picture.
Modern phone cameras use an electronic shutter that is completely silent.
文法句型
the shutter
shutter speed
shutter button
用法筆記
Usually used in the singular when referring to the camera mechanism. 'Shutter speed' is a very common compound noun referring to how long the shutter stays open.
常見錯誤
2. a flat panel fixed to the outer side of a window frame that can be swung shut to
a flat panel fixed to the outer side of a window frame that can be swung shut to block light, keep heat inside, or stop people from looking in or breaking in
Hannah closed the wooden shutters before going to bed so the morning sun would not wake her.
collocation: close the shutters
The old seaside house had blue shutters that were cracked and peeling from years of salt air.
passive description: had [colour] shutters
During the typhoon, Jiwoo's father nailed the shutters shut to protect the windows from flying debris.
Piotr painted the window shutters bright white to match the new front door of the cottage.
Thick wooden shutters keep the Mediterranean houses cool even on the hottest summer afternoons.
- blind
usually refers to an interior roll-up or slatted covering, typically made of fabric or thin material, not the solid exterior panel of a shutter
- louver
a specific type of shutter with angled slats; more technical and less common in everyday use
- jalousie
a type of window with glass slats that function like shutters; much less common than 'shutter'
文法句型
shutters + verb
close/open the shutters
用法筆記
Almost always used in the plural ('shutters') because windows typically have two panels — one on each side. The singular 'shutter' can refer to one panel individually, but native speakers normally say 'shutters' even for a single window's pair.
常見錯誤
3. a strong metal covering that rolls or slides down over a shop's windows and entr
a strong metal covering that rolls or slides down over a shop's windows and entrance after closing time to protect the goods inside from theft or damage
Every evening at nine, Samir pulls down the metal shutter in front of his grocery store.
collocation: pull down the shutter
The thieves tried to force the shutter open, but the steel held firm against the crowbar.
A faded handwritten sign was taped to the shutter saying the bakery would reopen in the spring.
Landlords in the shopping district now require all new tenants to install steel shutters on their storefronts.
- security grill
a metal gate that is more open (like a grid), while a shutter is a solid sheet
- roll-down door
often used for warehouse or garage doors; interchangeable with 'shutter' for shop fronts in some regions
文法句型
metal shutter
pull down the shutter
shutter + verb (is down)
用法筆記
In British English, 'security shutter' or 'steel shutter' are common. In American English, 'roll-down shutter' or simply 'security gate' may be used. The singular 'shutter' is more common than 'shutters' for this type because it is one continuous sheet.
常見錯誤
shutter — verb
1. to close the solid panels on the outside of a window or building, usually to blo
to close the solid panels on the outside of a window or building, usually to block light, keep heat inside, or protect against a storm or intruders
Mateo shuttered all the downstairs windows before the hurricane made landfall on the coast.
transitive: shuttered all the windows
The beach houses along the coast stay shuttered from November until April every year.
passive: stay shuttered
Soraya remembered to shutter the cabin windows before she drove back to the city for work.
The whole street shuttered their shops when they heard the tornado warning on the radio.
- open
the direct opposite action for windows or shutters
文法句型
shutter + noun phrase (window, house)
be shuttered (passive)
用法筆記
This verb is formed from the noun sense 2 (window covers). In storm-prone areas, 'shutter the windows' is a very common instruction. The past participle 'shuttered' is frequently used as an adjective (shuttered windows, shuttered house).
常見錯誤
2. to close a business, factory, or operation permanently or for a long period, so
to close a business, factory, or operation permanently or for a long period, so that no work or activity takes place there any longer
The car factory shuttered its doors last year after fifty years of building engines in the town.
transitive: shuttered its doors
Reuben's independent bookstore was forced to shutter after the rent doubled in less than three years.
passive: was forced to shutter
Several restaurants in the neighbourhood shuttered during the long economic downturn.
The airline announced it would shutter its operations in four small cities by the end of the year.
- close down
more neutral and widely used across all varieties of English; 'shutter' creates a stronger visual image
- shut down
very similar meaning; 'shut down' can also refer to temporarily stopping a machine or computer, while 'shutter' is almost always about a place of business
- cease operations
formal and more distant; used in official announcements rather than everyday speech
文法句型
shutter + noun phrase (factory, store, operations)
be shuttered (passive)
shutter (intransitive: the factory shuttered)
用法筆記
This is primarily American English; British English more commonly uses 'close down' or 'go into administration.' The verb evokes the image of metal shutters being pulled down over a shop front. Commonly used in news headlines for its brevity and dramatic effect.