telescopic

American  

[tel-uh-skop-ik] / ˌtɛl əˈskɒp ɪk /

Sometimes telescopical

adjective

1. of, relating to, or of the nature of a telescope.

2. capable of magnifying distant objects.

   a telescopic lens.

3. obtained by means of a telescope.

   a telescopic view of the moon.

4. seen by a telescope; visible only through a telescope.

5. capable of viewing objects from a distance; farseeing.

   a telescopic eye.

6. consisting of parts that slide one within another like the tubes of a jointed telescope and are thus capable of being extended or shortened.

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telescopic British  

/ ˌtɛlɪˈskɒpɪk /

adjective

1. of or relating to a telescope

2. seen through or obtained by means of a telescope

3. visible only with the aid of a telescope

4. able to see far

5. having or consisting of parts that telescope

   a telescopic umbrella

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Other Word Forms

• nontelescopic adjective
• telescopically adverb

Etymology

Origin of telescopic

First recorded in 1695–1705; telescope + -ic

Example Sentences

For though bald eagles are capable predators in their own right—they sport telescopic vision and can see in ultraviolet—they’re not above letting other animals do their work for them.

From Slate • Feb. 21, 2026

Ahlgren used a telescopic crane to bring the overhead perspective into focus.

From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 19, 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

He had peered up my nose with a telescopic flashlight which looked like a thin pen that clipped into the top pocket of his white lab jacket.

From "Dead End in Norvelt" by Jack Gantos

Related Words

• far
• far-flung
• far-off
• inaccessible
• isolated
• obscure
• remote
• removed
• secluded