optical

adjective

op·​ti·​cal ˈäp-ti-kəl 

1

: of or relating to the science of optics

2

a

: of or relating to vision : visual

b

: visible sense 1

optical wavelength

c

: of, relating to, or being objects that emit light in the visible range of frequencies

an optical galaxy

d

: using the properties of light to aid vision

an optical instrument

3

a

: of, relating to, or utilizing light especially instead of other forms of energy

optical microscopy

b

: involving the use of light-sensitive devices to acquire information for a computer

optical character recognition

4

: of or relating to optical art

optically

ˈäp-ti-k(ə-)lē 

adverb

Synonyms

• ocular
• optic
• visual

Examples of optical in a Sentence

The company manufactures microscopes, telescopes, and other optical instruments.

an optical illusion that fools most people

Recent Examples on the Web

The projector also boasts 0.9-1.5:1 optical zoom – relatively rare in lifestyle projectors – which helps give this model the installation flexibility edge over digital counterparts. —Paul Ridden june 25, New Atlas, 25 June 2025

Cataract surgery, where a surgeon replaces a clouded optical lens with an artificial one, is a very quick procedure, typically taking less than 15 minutes to perform. —Amy Feldman, Forbes.com, 24 June 2025

Open source Marco Langbroek is a leading satellite tracker and lecturer in optical space situational awareness at Delft University of Technology in the Netherlands. —Leonard David, Space.com, 23 June 2025

The Flip's optical viewfinder is good for the price. —PC Magazine, 20 June 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1570, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing optical

• electro-optical
• magneto-optical
• optical activity
• optical art
• optical bench
• optical disc
• optical fiber
• optical glass
• optical illusion
• optical rotation

Rhymes for optical

• synoptical

Kids Definition

optical

adjective

op·​ti·​cal ˈäp-ti-kəl 

1

: relating to optics

2

: of or relating to vision

3

a

: of, relating to, or using light

an optical telescope

b

: involving the use of a device that senses light to acquire information for a computer

an optical scanner

optically

-k(ə-)lē 

adverb

Medical Definition

optical

adjective

op·​ti·​cal ˈäp-ti-kəl 

1

: of or relating to the science of optics

2

a

: of or relating to vision : visual

b

: using the properties of light to aid vision

an optical instrument

3

: of, relating to, or utilizing light

optical microscopy