optical

[op-ti-kuhl]

adjective

1. of, relating to, or applying optics optics or the principles of optics.

2. constructed to assist sight or to correct defects in vision.

3. of or relating to sight or vision; visual.

4. of or relating to the eye.

5. of or relating to an optician or opticians or to their products, especially eyeglasses.

   an optical service.

6. dealing with or skilled in optics.

noun

1. opticals. optical effects.

optical

/ ˈɒptɪkəl /

adjective

1. of, relating to, producing, or involving light

2. of or relating to the eye or to the sense of sight; optic

3. (esp of a lens) aiding vision or correcting a visual disorder

optical

1. Relating to vision or the eyes.

2. Relating to optics.

3. Relating to or using visible light.

Other Word Forms

• optically adverb
• nonoptical adjective
• nonoptically adverb
• suboptical adjective
• suboptically adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of optical¹

First recorded in 1560–70; optic + -al ¹

Example Sentences

Because radio waves can penetrate dust and gas that obscure visible light, radio telescopes can observe galaxies invisible to optical instruments.

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“Their investment in manufacturing, packaging and R&D for optical chips means the most innovative technologies that power AI, data centers and critical national security applications will be developed and built here in the U.S.A.”

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Morgan said that was a positive for optical component suppliers such as Coherent, Fabrinet and Lumentum Holdings, which were all rising early Thursday.

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The researchers note that this revised understanding of light's magnetic behavior could open doors for innovations in optical data storage, spintronics, and magnetic control using light.

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"By turning these hidden states on and off at will and controlling them with nanoscale resolution, we open exciting opportunities to disruptively advance next-generation optical and quantum technologies, including for sensing and computing."

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