bokeh

American  

[boh-kuh, boh-key] / ˈboʊ kə, ˈboʊˌkeɪ /

noun

1. the blurry quality in the out-of-focus parts of a photograph, regarded as an aesthetic effect rendered by a particular lens or its digital simulation.

   This lens creates beautifully sharp images with delightful bokeh that glows and diffuses into the background.

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Etymology

Origin of bokeh

First recorded in 1995–2000; from Japanese boke “fuzziness, blurring,” shortening of pinboke “state of being out of focus”

Example Sentences

Its use of a claustrophobic frame, swirly bokeh and color bias celluloid deepen a mother’s downward spiral.

From Los Angeles Times • Dec. 10, 2025

And, thanks to the f/1.4 aperture, I can choose whether the background is somewhat in focus or just a beautiful blur of bokeh.

From The Verge • Jun. 16, 2022

Hair and glasses remain a challenge for phone cameras and fake bokeh, so I’ll believe this when I see it.

From The Verge • Feb. 9, 2022

A vibrant texture of blues and gold accentuates Roxanne’s whimsical radiance with the cinematographer turning to long lenses, flares and a blooming bokeh blur to illuminate the transcendent feeling of being swept off her feet.

From Los Angeles Times • Dec. 15, 2021

The basic mode is refreshingly minimal — there are quick shortcuts to different focal lengths, to turn bokeh mode on or off, enable continuous shooting, and access flash settings, but not much more than that.

From The Verge • Jul. 17, 2021