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

See Examples For:

optics

Germanium is indispensable to fiber optics, infrared optics, night vision, satellite solar cells, advanced semiconductors, aerospace systems, missile guidance, surveillance equipment and AI data-center connectivity.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 14, 2026

"The work has implications for advances in fundamental science and in communications, optics and photonics."

From Science Daily ● Jul. 12, 2026

But beyond the optics and the speeches, Nato delegates have been getting down to the serious business of rearming Europe and seeing how their defence industries can best co-operate.

From BBC ● Jul. 7, 2026

But the optics apparently were too much even for Infantino's predecessor Sepp Blatter, who resigned in 2015 after a US-backed corruption probe.

From Barron's ● Jul. 6, 2026

Art had escaped, or partially escaped, from Aristotle, and it had done so under the guidance of geometry and optics.

From "The Invention of Science" by David Wootton

Related Words

• eyesight
• perception
• view