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

Even the attachments are more impressive, like the Fluffy optic cleaner head, which now has a brighter green light to illuminate invisible dust on hardwood floors. —PC Magazine, 9 Oct. 2025

During the first court appearance for Edge, prosecutors said the weapon that was used was a .300 Blackout Sig Sauer rifle with an optic scope and a suppressor. —Phil Helsel, NBC news, 3 Oct. 2025

Noun

Still, Republicans and Democrats are not letting the optics of fundraising or networking during a shutdown stop them from carrying on like usual. —Ramsey Touchberry, The Washington Examiner, 17 Oct. 2025

The industry needs to evolve and understand how audience behavior is changing and how a new generation of creators and labels are redefining business models, and the optics of a fest focused on the creator economy are great. —Jesse Whittock, Deadline, 17 Oct. 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