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 of optic

Adjective

• optical

Examples of optic in a Sentence

Adjective

the optic nerve

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

The teaser also includes footage of Xavier and Magneto sharing what seems to be a tender moment as well as an emotional Cyclops unleashing a massive optic blast as what appear to be large legs possibly belonging to Sentinels lumber along in the background. —Tracy Brown, Los Angeles Times, 6 Jan. 2026

The leader of these superheroes rips off his protective visor and unleashes a catastrophic optic blast. —Nick Romano, Entertainment Weekly, 6 Jan. 2026

Noun

The construction of the West Wing, to house the president's Oval Office and staff, and the East Wing, to house the first lady's team and other auxiliary offices, was expertly planned to not interfere with the optics of the standalone Executive Residence. —Kyler Alvord, PEOPLE, 9 Jan. 2026

Using optics for the interconnect layer would have consumed thousands of megawatt-hours. —Christopher McFadden, Interesting Engineering, 9 Jan. 2026

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