chroma key

[ kroh-muh kee ]

noun

, Movies, Television.

1. an electronic special-effects system for combining a desired background with a live foreground shot.

Word History and Origins

Origin of chroma key¹

First recorded in 1955–60

Example Sentences

No matter what you call it — chroma key, green screen or blue screen — it’s the film and video technique that gives your local TV weatherperson something in common with the Avengers movies: artificial backgrounds inserted behind the action.

From New York Times

If you plan to do all your recording and editing work on your phone or tablet, pop into your app store and search for a “green screen” or “chroma key” app that suits your tastes and budget.

From New York Times

Chroma key typically uses green or blue backgrounds because those hues are farthest from human skin tones, making sure that the software doesn’t mistake a human for the background.

From New York Times

Chroma key works the same way in most programs, but check your app’s help guide for specific instructions for deleting the green or blue backdrop.

From New York Times

The fashion house, founded in 1953 as a knitwear company, said it was “stepping into the blue of a chroma key” for the line, hopping back and forth between past and present.

From Reuters