telescopic

adjective

tele·​scop·​ic ˌte-lə-ˈskä-pik 

1

a

: of, relating to, or performed with a telescope

b

: suitable for seeing or magnifying distant objects

2

: seen or discoverable only by a telescope

telescopic stars

3

: able to discern objects at a distance

4

: having parts that telescope

telescopically

ˌte-lə-ˈskä-pi-k(ə-)lē 

adverb

Examples of telescopic in a Sentence

The rifle has a telescopic sight.

Recent Examples on the Web

But to astronomers, the images — taken from a telescopic array in southern California of cosmic events occurring thousands of light-years away — provide valuable insights. —Keith Matheny, Freep.com, 11 Dec. 2025

If everything works out, a pledge of HK$1,390 (about US$179) will get you a package that includes a Cube o1 with a tripod, ball mount, telescopic rod and charging cable. —New Atlas, 11 Dec. 2025

In addition to a user-friendly telescopic handle that locks with the push of a button, this suitcase also has a zippered waterproof bag on the inside for storing wet or dirty clothes. —Michelle Baricevic, Travel + Leisure, 1 Dec. 2025

Anderson-Whymark was taking pictures with a camera affixed to a telescopic pole, gathering data for a 3-D digital model of the site. —Alex Ross, New Yorker, 24 Nov. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1674, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Rhymes for telescopic

• arthroscopic
• barotropic
• cystoscopic
• endoscopic
• gyroscopic
• hygroscopic
• isentropic
• isotopic
• isotropic
• macroscopic
• microscopic
• orthotopic

Kids Definition

telescopic

adjective

tele·​scop·​ic ˌtel-ə-ˈskäp-ik 

1

: of, relating to, or performed with a telescope

2

: seen or discoverable only by a telescope

telescopic stars

3

: able to discern objects at a distance

telescopic vision

4

: having parts that telescope

telescopically

-i-k(ə-)lē 

adverb