optical
4 synonyms for optical, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Adjective — Relating to sight, vision, or the science of light.
Synonyms
Everyday swaps
Common words most readers know — safe in any writing.
Less common
Still standard English, but they carry more weight.
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
How to use optical
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
optical illusion
optical fiber
optical zoom
Etymology
Formed from optic plus the adjective ending -al.
Full origin of optical →Frequently asked questions
What does “optical” mean?
The word “optical” means relating to sight, vision, or the science of light. In plain terms, related to sight or to devices and technology that use light.
How do you pronounce “optical”?
“Optical” is pronounced OP-tih-kuhl (/ˈɑptɪkəl/ in IPA).
How do you use “optical” in a sentence?
Here is “optical” used in a sentence: “An optical illusion tricks your brain into seeing something that isn't really there.”
What part of speech is “optical”?
“Optical” is an adjective.
Is “optical” a common word?
“Optical” is a fairly common word in modern English.
How many meanings does “optical” have?
“Optical” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: relating to sight, vision, or the science of light.
What is the difference between optical and optic?
Both adjectives relate to sight, vision, or light, but they divide up the work. Optic appears mainly in fixed anatomical terms such as the optic nerve, while optical is the everyday choice for devices, effects, and technology: optical illusion, optical instruments, optical fiber.
Why is it called an optical illusion?
It is called an optical illusion because optical means relating to sight and vision. An optical illusion is an image or effect that deceives the visual system, so what you perceive differs from what is physically there.
What is the difference between optical and visual?
Visual relates to seeing or to what is seen — visual arts, visual memory — while optical relates to light itself or to instruments that use it, as in optical lenses and optical signals. A film's visual effects concern how it looks; an optical effect involves how light behaves.
