Phrase guide

single-lens reflex

adj · noun · 2 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot

Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.

Sound

Pronunciation

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No pronunciation record was provided for this word.

1

adj

Meaning 1

Denoting or relating to a type of camera which allows the photographer to view the subject through the same lens that will be used to take a photograph, usually by incorporating a moving mirror and prism.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: not-comparable

Topics: arts, hobbies, lifestyle, photography

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

2

noun

Meaning 2

Ellipsis of single-lens reflex camera.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: abbreviation, alt-of, ellipsis

Topics: arts, hobbies, lifestyle, photography

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: SLR

Antonyms: none provided

History

Etymology

From single + lens (contrasted with a twin-lens reflex camera, TLR), and reflex (“reflection”), the principle by which the image path is diverted.

Across languages

Translations

11 source translations are retained for this English entry.

  • Finnish: yksisilmäinen peiliheijastus- — of a type of camera
  • German: Spiegelreflexkamera — of a type of camera
  • Hungarian: egyaknás tükörreflexes — of a type of camera
  • Chinese Mandarin: 單反 /单反 (dānfǎn) — a camera allowing one to view through the same lens used to take a photograph
  • Dutch: spiegelreflexcamera — a camera allowing one to view through the same lens used to take a photograph
  • Finnish: yksisilmäinen peiliheijastuskamera — a camera allowing one to view through the same lens used to take a photograph
  • German: Spiegelreflexkamera — a camera allowing one to view through the same lens used to take a photograph
  • Hungarian: egyaknás tükörreflexes fényképezőgép — a camera allowing one to view through the same lens used to take a photograph
  • Japanese: 一眼レフ (ichigan refu) — a camera allowing one to view through the same lens used to take a photograph
  • Korean: 일안 반사식 카메라 (iran bansasik kamera) — a camera allowing one to view through the same lens used to take a photograph
  • Norwegian Bokmål: speilreflekskamera — a camera allowing one to view through the same lens used to take a photograph