spectral

adjective

spec·​tral ˈspek-trəl 

1

: of, relating to, or suggesting a specter : ghostly

We felt a spectral presence in the old ballroom.

No ghost stood beside me, nor anything of spectral aspect; merely a motherly, dumpy little woman, in a large shawl, a wrapping-gown, and a clean, trim nightcap.

—Charlotte Brontë

2

: of, relating to, or made by a spectrum

especially : relating to or derived from the electromagnetic spectrum of visible light

Surfaces can differ in the proportion of incident light they reflect (dark ones reflect less than light ones) and in the spectral composition of the light they reflect.

—Principles of Neural Science

Their examination supported the opinion that the stone was mined in India and cut in London. They also found that the spectral characteristics overlap those of known treated green diamonds.

—Lapidary Journal

spectrally

ˈspek-trə-lē 

adverb

Examples of spectral in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

In the photographs taken that day, Bruce has a spectral beauty, as if conjured out of the air. —Andrew Durbin, Vulture, 13 Apr. 2026

These pieces, written for piano in the late 1880s, have a spectral beauty that defies language. —Mark Richardson, Pitchfork, 11 Apr. 2026

The installation puts people inside that spectral array of color to capture the essence of those sunrises and sunsets. —Niyaz Pirani, Los Angeles Times, 10 Apr. 2026

Whatever the full truth of either description (anyone paying attention that November a few years ago soon realized only Wall Street cheered his comeback), I’d argue Altman at this point in his pop-culture evolution has transcended both those designations and any spectral stops in between. —Steven Zeitchik, HollywoodReporter, 9 Apr. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1769, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing spectral

• spectral line

Rhymes for spectral

• multispectral

Kids Definition

spectral

adjective

spec·​tral ˈspek-trəl 

1

: of, relating to, or suggesting a specter : ghostly

2

: of, relating to, or made by a spectrum

Medical Definition

spectral

adjective

spec·​tral ˈspek-trəl 

: of, relating to, or made by a spectrum

spectrally adverb