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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.

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
"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Other Word Forms

  • nontelescopic adjective
  • telescopically adverb

Etymology

Origin of telescopic

First recorded in 1695–1705; telescope + -ic

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.

The new method, developed in the US, involved placing a lengthening nail - known as a motorised telescopic nail - on the surface of Alfie's femur, the long bone in the thigh.

From BBC • Feb. 17, 2026

“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

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

Demand collapsed, however, immediately after Galileo’s telescopic discoveries.

From "The Invention of Science" by David Wootton

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.