telescopic
Americanadjective
-
of, relating to, or of the nature of a telescope.
-
capable of magnifying distant objects.
a telescopic lens.
-
obtained by means of a telescope.
a telescopic view of the moon.
-
capable of viewing objects from a distance; farseeing.
a telescopic eye.
-
consisting of parts that slide one within another like the tubes of a jointed telescope and are thus capable of being extended or shortened.
adjective
-
of or relating to a telescope
-
seen through or obtained by means of a telescope
-
visible only with the aid of a telescope
-
able to see far
-
having or consisting of parts that telescope
a telescopic umbrella
Other Word Forms
- nontelescopic adjective
- telescopically adverb
Etymology
Origin of telescopic
Explanation
If it has a lens that can magnify extremely far-away objects, it's telescopic. Another way objects can be telescopic is if they are made from a series of tubes that slide inside each other. Telescopes are the most obviously telescopic things — they magnify distant objects, like the moon, and sometimes have a series of tubes that slide out. Picture a pirate's telescopic spyglass, one type of telescope, which expands so the pirate can peer through it. If you use a camera with a telescopic lens, don’t stand too close to your subject because the lens might bonk them in the nose. Telescopic also describes something that’s only visible with a telescope, like a far-away star.
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.
“I’m recommending the cameras being aimed oceanward with a rotating telescopic lens and thermal imaging for night viewing,” Knoblock said.
From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 5, 2025
The compound bow features mechanical pulleys, telescopic sights and release aids to assist accuracy.
From BBC • Aug. 25, 2024
These satellites are now increasingly obstructing telescopic space exploration, both on the ground and in space.
From Salon • Feb. 13, 2024
Scientists had hoped the probe would follow up on hints from telescopic surveys of an active plume erupting from Europa into space.
From Science Magazine • Jan. 2, 2024
The bin had to be emptied, and I couldn’t operate the loader—a massive forklift with a telescopic arm and wide, black wheels that were taller than I was.
From "Educated" by Tara Westover
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.
