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

Monster galaxies are so far away from our own galaxy and so covered in dust that it is really challenging for optical telescopes to spot them.

Read more on Space Scoop

On October 5, one drone guided by a thread of optical fibre several-dozen-kilometres-long struck a vehicle in the centre of Kramatorsk, a first for the city.

Read more on Barron's

Traditional optical routers rely on intricate switch networks and electrical control systems to change light’s path, which adds layers of complexity and limits both speed and performance.

Read more on Science Daily

Hitler, as the cliché goes, built the autobahns, and Nazi Germany developed technologies like synthetic fuels, optical equipment and space flight that were ahead of the Western democracies.

Read more on Salon

Using optical and electron microscopy, Harris and his team determined the rock was a chondrite - the most abundant type of stony meteorite, according to Nasa - which meant that it was approximately 4.56 billion years old.

Read more on BBC