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

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

In a search of the apartment, police recovered a Glock 19 Gen 5 firearm with an optic sight attached. —Rick Sobey, Boston Herald, 19 June 2025

Noun

Some competitors suggest that the optics of Par- amount settling with Trump, followed quickly by the network’s canning of late-night host Stephen Colbert, who was a critic of the deal with the president, could hurt the incoming Ellison regime’s ability to lure A-list talent. —Matt Donnelly, Variety, 5 Aug. 2025

And the fact that Chisholm wasn't punished (manager Aaron Boone took him out of sight for a conversation after the inning), only worsens the optics. —Jackson Roberts, MSNBC Newsweek, 3 Aug. 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