adjective
Common
optical
OP-tih-kuhl
Optical (adjective) means relating to sight, vision, or the science of light. Example: “An optical illusion tricks your brain into seeing something that isn't really there.”
adjective
1
Relating to sight, vision, or the science of light.
"Optical telescopes don't work when it is cloudy."
"Strabismus is an optical defect."
"An optical illusion tricks your brain into seeing something that isn't really there."
2
Working by means of light, especially visible light — as opposed to, say, electrical signals.
"Many telephone companies now use optical cables because they carry information very quickly."
"The scientist built an optical sensor that reacts when a beam of light is blocked."
"The data travels through an optical fiber cable."
How to use optical
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishRelated to sight or to devices and technology that use light.
Easily confused with
Common pairings
optical illusion
optical fiber
optical zoom
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Word forms
- Plural
- opticals
- Comparative
- more optical
- Superlative
- most optical
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
An _____ illusion tricks your brain into seeing something that isn't really there.
Etymology
Formed from optic plus the adjective ending -al.
Synonyms
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Rhymes for optical
See all rhymes for 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.
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