vi·su·al
ˈvi-zhə-wəl 
-zhəl;
ˈvizh-wəl
1
: of, relating to, or used in vision
visual organs
2
: attained or maintained by sight
visual impressions
3
: visible
visual objects
4
: producing mental images : vivid
5
: done or executed by sight only
visual navigation
6
: of, relating to, or employing visual aids
: something (such as a graphic) that appeals to the sight and is used for effect or illustration
—usually used in plural
Synonyms
Examples of visual in a Sentence
Adjective
color, shape, and other visual attributes
She appreciates the visual arts such as painting and film.
Maps are a visual tool for learning.
Noun
Should I include some visuals in my presentation?
a film director known for his powerful visuals
Recent Examples on the Web
Mary Colurso | McOlurso@al.com, al, 13 Sep. 2023
What can a saying or visual do and how does that compare to somebody crafting a suit from scratch?
—Ian F. Blair, Los Angeles Times, 13 Sep. 2023
Though this union only includes Marvel’s in-house VFX workers, its parent company Disney’s visual effects crews filed for their own election to unionize with the NLRB,and backed by IATSE, at the end of August.
—Ramishah Maruf, CNN, 13 Sep. 2023
Underpinning the union drive were the poor working conditions visual effects professionals have endured on Marvel productions, including a lack of pay equity, grueling hours, understaffing, excessive requests for changes, and unfair turnaround times.
—Jon Blistein, Rolling Stone, 13 Sep. 2023
In a historic move, Marvel Studios’ visual effects workers unanimously voted in favor of unionizing with the International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees (IATSE) in an election held by the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB), the company announced Wednesday.
—Jordan Moreau, Variety, 13 Sep. 2023
Despite its heavy-duty subject matter, the film co-directed by Capobianco and Pierre-Luc Granjon is filled with welcome humor of both the visual and verbal varieties.
—Frank Scheck, The Hollywood Reporter, 13 Sep. 2023
The resulting visual movement captures the intricate interplay of love and hardship, beauty and struggle, unveiling the deeply personal and poetic truths of the participating mamas and artists.
—Photovogue, Vogue, 12 Sep. 2023
The drape measures the amount of blood lost and provides a quick and objective visual cue to hospital workers that a patient is in danger.
—Jennifer Fields, Fortune Well, 12 Sep. 2023
Theara Coleman, The Week, 29 Aug. 2023
This summer has been a tough one for New England stargazers, as cloud cover and smoke from wildfires in Canada have overshadowed typical astounding visuals in the night sky.
—Alysa Guffey, BostonGlobe.com, 25 Aug. 2023
The vibrant sequence is dripping in period nostalgia with a sci-fi twist, and visuals unravel through a single upward camera move — a subliminal nod imitating the path of flight.
—Daron James, Los Angeles Times, 21 Aug. 2023
The visual is a throwback lovefest, opening with Monét in a Ciara-esque red outfit with the moves to match.
—Vulture, 15 Aug. 2023
This provides your practitioner with visuals of the skin’s dermis, epidermis, and tissue layers — a view that is unique to the device.
—Audrey Noble, Allure, 15 Aug. 2023
From the visual of the decedent laying in a casket in repose to spending time with family and friends remembering, to sharing photos looking at the past and talking about the future in their grandchildren and great-grandchildren, and then celebrating either religiously or non-religiously.
—Good Housekeeping, 15 Aug. 2023
The visual for the latter track will drop August 24.
—Jessica Roiz, Billboard, 18 Aug. 2023
Rush have been pretty influential in your visuals, even beyond this album.
—Ryan Reed, Spin, 15 Aug. 2023
See More
Adjective
Event includes music, dance, performing arts, visual arts, children’s activities, soccer, cultural education, Latin food and more.
—Mary Colurso | McOlurso@al.com, al, 13 Sep. 2023
What can a saying or visual do and how does that compare to somebody crafting a suit from scratch?
—Ian F. Blair, Los Angeles Times, 13 Sep. 2023
Though this union only includes Marvel’s in-house VFX workers, its parent company Disney’s visual effects crews filed for their own election to unionize with the NLRB,and backed by IATSE, at the end of August.
—Ramishah Maruf, CNN, 13 Sep. 2023
Underpinning the union drive were the poor working conditions visual effects professionals have endured on Marvel productions, including a lack of pay equity, grueling hours, understaffing, excessive requests for changes, and unfair turnaround times.
—Jon Blistein, Rolling Stone, 13 Sep. 2023
In a historic move, Marvel Studios’ visual effects workers unanimously voted in favor of unionizing with the International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees (IATSE) in an election held by the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB), the company announced Wednesday.
—Jordan Moreau, Variety, 13 Sep. 2023
Despite its heavy-duty subject matter, the film co-directed by Capobianco and Pierre-Luc Granjon is filled with welcome humor of both the visual and verbal varieties.
—Frank Scheck, The Hollywood Reporter, 13 Sep. 2023
The resulting visual movement captures the intricate interplay of love and hardship, beauty and struggle, unveiling the deeply personal and poetic truths of the participating mamas and artists.
—Photovogue, Vogue, 12 Sep. 2023
The drape measures the amount of blood lost and provides a quick and objective visual cue to hospital workers that a patient is in danger.
—Jennifer Fields, Fortune Well, 12 Sep. 2023
Noun
While it has been criticized for having a slow-moving plot, the visuals were trailblazing at the time.
—Theara Coleman, The Week, 29 Aug. 2023
This summer has been a tough one for New England stargazers, as cloud cover and smoke from wildfires in Canada have overshadowed typical astounding visuals in the night sky.
—Alysa Guffey, BostonGlobe.com, 25 Aug. 2023
The vibrant sequence is dripping in period nostalgia with a sci-fi twist, and visuals unravel through a single upward camera move — a subliminal nod imitating the path of flight.
—Daron James, Los Angeles Times, 21 Aug. 2023
The visual is a throwback lovefest, opening with Monét in a Ciara-esque red outfit with the moves to match.
—Vulture, 15 Aug. 2023
This provides your practitioner with visuals of the skin’s dermis, epidermis, and tissue layers — a view that is unique to the device.
—Audrey Noble, Allure, 15 Aug. 2023
From the visual of the decedent laying in a casket in repose to spending time with family and friends remembering, to sharing photos looking at the past and talking about the future in their grandchildren and great-grandchildren, and then celebrating either religiously or non-religiously.
—Good Housekeeping, 15 Aug. 2023
The visual for the latter track will drop August 24.
—Jessica Roiz, Billboard, 18 Aug. 2023
Rush have been pretty influential in your visuals, even beyond this album.
—Ryan Reed, Spin, 15 Aug. 2023
See More
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'visual.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Word History
Phrases Containing visual
Dictionary Entries Near visual
Cite this Entry
“Visual.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/visual. Accessed 25 Sep. 2023.
Copy Citation
Kids Definition
visual
1 of 2 adjective
vi·su·al
ˈvizh-(ə-)wəl
ˈvizh-əl
1
: of, relating to, or used in vision
visual organs
2
: received by sight
visual impressions
3
: visible sense 1
visual objects
4
: of, relating to, or using visual aids
a visual presentation
visual
2 of 2 noun
: something (as a picture, chart, or film) that appeals to the sight and is used to illustrate, demonstrate, or advertise
—usually used in plural
Medical Definition
visual
adjective
vi·su·al
ˈvizh-(ə-)wəl, ˈvizh-əl
1
: of, relating to, or used in vision
visual organs
2
: attained or maintained by sight
visual impressions
More from Merriam-Webster on visual
Nglish: Translation of visual for Spanish Speakers
Britannica English: Translation of visual for Arabic Speakers
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