spectral

American  

[spek-truhl] / ˈspɛk trəl /

adjective

1. of or relating to a specter; ghostly; phantom.

2. resembling or suggesting a specter.

3. of, relating to, or produced by a spectrum or spectra.

4. resembling or suggesting a spectrum or spectra.

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spectral British  

/ spɛkˈtrælɪtɪ, ˈspɛktrəl /

adjective

1. of or like a spectre

2. of or relating to a spectrum

   spectral colours

3. physics (of a physical quantity) relating to a single wavelength of radiation

   spectral luminous efficiency

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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

These spectral signals can be directly connected to high ionic mobility.

From Science Daily • Mar. 7, 2026

And Fabian Gamper’s spectral cinematography sometimes incorporates POV shots that produce the sensation that we, the viewer, are physically touring these long-abandoned rooms.

From Los Angeles Times • Jan. 23, 2026

It felt very spectral and almost phantasmagorical and certainly not a depiction of a truth.

From Los Angeles Times • Dec. 10, 2025

This dual capability offers new insights into the acceleration limits of astrophysical sources and the spectral signatures they contribute.

From Science Daily • Nov. 16, 2025

But the spectral seemed suddenly insubstantial, and no sooner did this thought occur than she melted away.

From "Strange the Dreamer" by Laini Taylor

Related Words

• eerie
• shadowy