optical

[ op-ti-kuhl ]

/ ˈɒp tɪ kəl /

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See synonyms for optical on Thesaurus.com

adjective

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

opticals. optical effects.

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Origin of optical

First recorded in 1560–70; optic + -al¹

OTHER WORDS FROM optical

op·ti·cal·ly, adverbnon·op·ti·cal, adjectivenon·op·ti·cal·ly, adverbsub·op·ti·cal, adjective

sub·op·ti·cal·ly, adverb

Words nearby optical

-opsy, opt, optative, opted, optic, optical, optical activity, optical art, optical astronomy, optical bench, optical binary

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use optical in a sentence

Rather than relying on the superconducting qubits favored by industry leaders, the researchers used single rubidium atoms trapped inside optical cavities.
Connecting Distant Qubits Just Brought Distributed Quantum Computing Closer|Edd Gent|February 8, 2021|Singularity Hub
As Spot walks around, the operator can simply drag a rectangle around a specific area and the camera will use its 30x optical zoom lens to get a closer look at the situation in that location.
Boston Dynamics gave its dog-like robot a charging dock and an arm on its head|Stan Horaczek|February 2, 2021|Popular-Science
Up to 10x zoom is optical, which means the lens actually moves to change the angle of view.
Watch Samsung announce its new Galaxy S21 smartphones and Galaxy Buds Pro|Stan Horaczek|January 14, 2021|Popular-Science
Apple also added sensor-based image stabilization, which it claims is actually more effective than the lens-based “optical” system.
The best new photography gear of the year|Stan Horaczek|December 26, 2020|Popular-Science

The end result has the same optical properties as a thin fiber strand, but on a much larger scale.
An inside look at how fiber optic glass is made|Stan Horaczek|December 24, 2020|Popular-Science
Its 8-megapixel camera, inclusive of true-tone and dual-LED f/2.2 aperture flashes, features optical image stabilization.
Why Every Home Needs a Drone This Holiday|Charlie Gilbert|December 8, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Well, I had seen his first film, “Optical Illusions”, so I knew he was talented and had an original approach.
Image is Everything: An Interview with Alejandro Zambra|Juan Vidal|February 28, 2014|DAILY BEAST
One of the most essential optical principles is that of the 45-degree mirror.
Can You Paint Like Johannes Vermeer, Too?|Andrew Romano|December 6, 2013|DAILY BEAST
Warby Parker's reinvention of the high-priced optical industry relied on one main tactic: cutting out the middleman.
Warby Parker Thrives by Giving Away Glasses Whenever It Sells a Pair|Nina Strochlic|May 7, 2013|DAILY BEAST
Within a few years of this painting, Vuillard gave up on most of the goals of optical realism.
The Mirror Sometimes Lies|Blake Gopnik|July 6, 2012|DAILY BEAST
The burning atmosphere, the motionless air caused doubtless the optical illusion.
The Wave|Algernon Blackwood
She was possessed with the idea that there was but one person in San Francisco that day, no matter what the optical delusion.
Ancestors|Gertrude Atherton
Accordingly, a sort of optical conversation commenced between the two young people.
Overland|John William De Forest
The outlines of things under these rainbow-tinted undulations produced the chromatic effects of optical glasses made too convex.
Toilers of the Sea|Victor Hugo
But they had, or maybe it was optical illusion on my part, illusion fostered by mental unrest.
My Wonderful Visit|Charlie Chaplin

British Dictionary definitions for optical

optical

/ (ˈɒptɪkəl) /

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

Derived forms of optical

optically, adverb

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Scientific definitions for optical

optical

[ ŏp′tĭ-kəl ]

Relating to vision or the eyes.

Relating to optics.

Relating to or using visible light.

optical

Origin of optical

OTHER WORDS FROM optical

Words nearby optical

Words related to optical

How to use optical in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for optical

Derived forms of optical

Scientific definitions for optical