optic

1 of 2

adjective

op·​tic ˈäp-tik 

: of or relating to vision or the eye

optic

2 of 2

noun

1

: eye

2

a

: any of the elements (such as lenses, mirrors, or light guides) of an optical instrument or system

—usually used in plural

b

: an optical instrument

Synonyms

Adjective

• optical

Examples of optic in a Sentence

Adjective

the optic nerve

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

Scott Summers, the leader of the X-Men team from Marvel comics who's capable of firing optic blasts, in 2000's X-Men. —EW.com, 7 Aug. 2025

The diagnosis was optic atrophy, which meant no blood flow was reaching the nerve. —Ashley Vega, People.com, 7 July 2025

Noun

The ability to guide and manipulate THz light waves at the nanoscale also opens new possibilities in non-linear optics, where light interacts with itself in unusual ways, enabling the development of powerful sensors and new computing technologies. —Rupendra Brahambhatt, Interesting Engineering, 6 Sep. 2025

School board members raised concerns over the optics of such a large settlement in messages to former district superintendent Harrell and other school administrators, according to multiple sources who have reviewed the file. —Matthew J. Friedman, CNN Money, 4 Sep. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Adjective

Middle English, from Medieval Latin opticus, from Greek optikos, from opsesthai to be going to see; akin to Greek opsis appearance, ōps eye — more at eye

First Known Use

Adjective

15th century, in the meaning defined above

Noun

1601, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing optic

• electro-optic
• fiber-optic
• magneto-optic
• optic axis
• optic chiasma
• optic cup
• optic disc
• optic lobe
• optic nerve
• optic vesicle

Rhymes for optic

• coptic
• preoptic
• synoptic
• supraoptic

Kids Definition

optic

adjective

op·​tic

ˈäp-tik

: of or relating to vision or the eye

Etymology

Adjective

Middle English optic "relating to the eye," from Latin opticus (same meaning), from Greek optikos (same meaning), from opsesthai "to be going to see" — related to autopsy

Medical Definition

optic

1 of 2 adjective

op·​tic ˈäp-tik 

1

a

: of or relating to vision

optic phenomena

b

: dependent chiefly on vision for orientation

humans are basically optic animals

2

a

: of or relating to the eye : ocular

b

: affecting the eye or an optic structure

optic

2 of 2 noun

1

: any of the elements (as lenses, mirrors, or light guides) of an optical instrument or system

—usually used in plural

2

: an optical instrument