spectacles

British  

/ ˈspɛktəkəlz /

plural noun

1. Often (informal) shortened to: specs.  a pair of glasses for correcting defective vision

2. cricket a score of 0 in each innings of a match

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Explanation

Spectacles are eyeglasses. People wear spectacles because their vision is flawed. Spectacles is an old-fashioned word, but it means something you probably see — and maybe even use — every day: eyeglasses. People who have defective vision need spectacles to see properly. Spectacles have two main parts: the lenses and the frames that hold the lenses. An ophthalmologist (eye doctor) can test your eyes and see if you need spectacles. You can also call spectacles glasses or specs.

Example Sentences

Spectacles were also crucial to Aldous Huxley, who said he became a writer rather than a physician due to his poor vision.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 7, 2026

Spectacles have remained largely the same for decades.

From BBC • Jul. 10, 2025

Early versions of Snap’s Spectacles, used for recording videos, and smartglasses such as Google Glass flopped but technology has improved.

From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 10, 2025

Snap’s Spectacles are truly horrid, like something you’d wear as part of a half-assed Andy Warhol costume on Halloween.

From Slate • Sep. 26, 2024

Spectacles are rare on a mouse, except in some silly children’s book.

From "Secrets at Sea" by Richard Peck