medium shot

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2026

me′dium shot′, [Motion Pictures, Television.]

1. Show Business a camera shot in which the subject is in the middle distance, permitting some of the background to be seen. Cf. closeup (def. 2), long shot (def. 3).

• 1930–35

WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2026

ˈlong ˌshot, n. [countable]

1. Games a horse in a race, or a team, etc., that has little chance of winning and carries long odds.
2. an undertaking that is unlikely to be successful.

Idioms

3. Idioms by a long shot, by any means:
   You aren't finished by a long shot.

WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2026

close•up /ˈkloʊsˌʌp/   n. [countable]

1. Photography a photograph taken at close range.
2. an intimate view or presentation.

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2026

long′ shot′, 

1. Games a horse, team, etc., that has little chance of winning and carries long odds.
2. an attempt or undertaking that offers much but in which there is little chance for success.
3. Show Business [Motion Pictures, Television.] a camera shot taken at a relatively great distance from the subject and permitting a broad view of a scene. Cf. closeup (def. 2), medium shot. 
4. Idioms by a long shot, by any means;
   by a measurable degree:
   They haven't finished by a long shot.
• 1785–95

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2026

close•up  (klōs′up′), n. 

1. Photography a photograph taken at close range or with a long focal-length lens, on a relatively large scale.
2. Show Business Also called close shot. [Motion Pictures, Television.] a camera shot taken at a very short distance from the subject, to permit a close and detailed view of an object or action. Cf. long shot (def. 3), medium shot. 
3. an intimate view or presentation of anything.

adj. 

4. of or resembling a closeup.
5. intimate or detailed;
   close-in.

• noun, nominal use of adverbial phrase close up 1910–15, American.