adjective
-
of or like a spectre
-
of or relating to a spectrum
spectral colours
-
physics (of a physical quantity) relating to a single wavelength of radiation
spectral luminous efficiency
Other Word Forms
- nonspectral adjective
- nonspectrality noun
- nonspectrally adverb
- spectrality noun
- spectrally adverb
- spectralness noun
Etymology
Origin of spectral
First recorded in 1710–20; from Latin spectr(um) ( specter ) + -al 1
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
During the tests, the robot moved autonomously toward selected targets, positioned its instruments using the robotic arm, and transmitted images and spectral data for analysis.
From Science Daily • Apr. 8, 2026
"We'd like to do a more quantitative simulation so that we can do a post-process and quantify the spectral behavior of the system," said Yao.
From Science Daily • Mar. 17, 2026
Those spectra tracked changing signatures in the ejected gas, and new spectral features matched up with structures seen in the interferometric images, providing a direct one-to-one confirmation of how the flows were forming and colliding.
From Science Daily • Dec. 31, 2025
Here are a few personal favorites, beginning with three from Mike Flanagan, TV’s master spinner of spectral tales.
From Los Angeles Times • Dec. 23, 2025
With his long dark hair and hooded white chaulnot, riding a spectral with panache and speaking Unseen as though his smoky voice were made for it, Lazlo could almost pass for one of the Tizerkane.
From "Strange the Dreamer" by Laini Taylor
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
