optics

American  

[op-tiks] / ˈɒp tɪks /

noun

1. (used with a singular verb) the branch of physical science that deals with the properties and phenomena of both visible and invisible light and with vision.

2. (used with a plural verb) the way a situation, action, event, etc., is perceived by the public or by a particular group of people.

   The optics on this issue are pretty good for the Democrats.

   Administrators worry about the bad optics of hiring new staff during a budget crisis.

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optics British  

/ ˈɒptɪks /

noun

1. (functioning as singular) the branch of science concerned with vision and the generation, nature, propagation, and behaviour of electromagnetic light

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optics Scientific  

/ ŏp′tĭks /

1. The scientific study of light and vision. The study of optics led to the development of more general theories of electromagnetic radiation and theories of color.

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optics Cultural  

1. The branch of physics dealing with light. (See electromagnetic waves, laser, lens, reflection, and refraction.)

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Etymology

Origin of optics

First recorded in 1570–80; from Medieval Latin optica, from Greek optiká “theory of the laws of light,” noun use of neuter plural of adjective optikós; see optic, -ics

Explanation

Scientists who study the physics of light are experts in optics. The field of optics includes light's physical attributes and the way our eyes detect it. If you learn about optics in a physics class, you'll spend some time learning about vision, which involves our eyes' ability to focus and reflect light — to see, in other words. Other aspects of optics include properties like reflection, refraction, and various ways light interacts with matter. Informally, optics is also used to mean "political spin," or the way the public perceives what politicians say and do, and how politicians tailor their actions to be viewed in specific ways.

Example Sentences

The advance could support ultra efficient information processing technologies, create new opportunities in quantum optics, and expand the capabilities of super resolution imaging.

From Science Daily • May 21, 2026

Heavy rare earths can be added to magnets, but are also used in optics.

From Barron's • May 18, 2026

Along with “large conglomerates that are materially involved” in optics and photonics, there are also “peer plays” held by the fund, he noted.

From MarketWatch • May 15, 2026

It was a day heavy with symbolism in Beijing, marked by choreographed ceremonies and carefully staged optics, but there was no sweeping trade breakthrough or major business agreements.

From BBC • May 14, 2026

After Galileo applied the telescope to astronomy and news of his discoveries spread, Kepler developed his ideas about optics to explain how the telescope works.

From "The Scientists" by John Gribbin

Related Words

• eyesight
• perception
• view