optical
Americanadjective
-
of, relating to, or applying optics or the principles of optics.
-
constructed to assist sight or to correct defects in vision.
-
of or relating to sight or vision; visual.
-
of or relating to the eye.
-
of or relating to an optician or opticians or to their products, especially eyeglasses.
an optical service.
-
dealing with or skilled in optics.
noun
adjective
-
of, relating to, producing, or involving light
-
of or relating to the eye or to the sense of sight; optic
-
(esp of a lens) aiding vision or correcting a visual disorder
-
Relating to vision or the eyes.
-
Relating to optics.
-
Relating to or using visible light.
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
Etymology
Origin of optical
Explanation
Anything that's optical has something to do with sight. You could call your glasses an optical aid, since they help you see things more clearly. Optical assistance comes in many forms, from glasses and contacts to binoculars and telescopes. All of these optical devices help magnify or clarify your vision. Using a big telescope to view the stars is known as optical astronomy, as opposed to the kind of astronomy that's practiced using radio signals or math. An optical illusion is a trick played on your eyes, when what they perceive is different from what is actually there.
Vocabulary lists containing optical
Common Senses: Op, Ops, Opt ("Sight")
Looking to grow your vocabulary? Check out this interactive, curated word list from our team of English language specialists at Vocabulary.com – one of over 17,000 lists we've built to help learners worldwide!
Workshop 1, Part 1
Interested in learning more words like this one? Our team at Vocabulary.com has got you covered! You can review flashcards, quiz yourself, practice spelling, and more – and it's all completely free to use!
Punching the Air
Want to remember this word for good? Start your learning journey today with our library of interactive, themed word lists built by the experts at Vocabulary.com – we'll help you make the most of your study time!
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Amazon and Corning announce a multiyear, multibillion-dollar agreement for optical fiber to supply data centers.
From Barron's • Jun. 8, 2026
When I flagged the results to Oura, it noted that gripping a vibrating stroller presents a particular challenge for optical sensors.
From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 7, 2026
In these experiments, atoms or other particles are placed inside an optical cavity, which consists of two mirrors that trap light between them.
From Science Daily • Jun. 6, 2026
The saber-toothed cat that appears mirage-like through a window, an optical illusion known as a Pepper’s Ghost, doesn’t reflect modern knowledge of the animal’s anatomy.
From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 6, 2026
Or that optical illusion with the staircases that never stop going upward.
From "P.S. I Miss You" by Jen Petro-Roy
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
