opto-

1. a combining form meaning “optic” or “vision,” used in the formation of compound words:

   optometry.

Word History and Origins

Origin of opto-¹

< Greek optós visible; akin to ṓps face; eye

Example Sentences

Many private credit funds have plenty of excess funds, or "dry powder" to invest, said Matt Malone, head of investment management at private investment management firm Opto Investments.

From Reuters

Now a director of football consultancy business Opto Advisers, Kenyon has worked on several deals in recent years and was linked with a bid for Newcastle United before their Saudi takeover.

From BBC

La liga optó por no repartir castigo.

From Los Angeles Times

AMS, which is largely dependent on orders for Apple’s iPhone, hopes that Osram’s automotive and opto semiconductor businesses will help it diversify its own portfolio and sales channels.

From Reuters

That was how I learned about what the neuroscientists call opto.

From The Guardian

Words That Use Opto-

What does opto- mean?

Opto- is a combining form used like a prefix meaning “optic” or “vision.” It is often used in scientific and medical terms, especially in optometry and ophthalmology.

Opto- comes from the Greek optós, meaning “visible.” This word is related to the Greek word ṓps, meaning “eye” or “face,” and ophthalmós, meaning “eye.” Ophthalmós is ultimately the source of ophthalmo- and ophthalm-. Also ultimately coming from the Greek ṓps are the combining forms -opia, -opsia, -opsy, and -opy.

The Latin word for “eye” is oculus, source of the combining form oculo-.

What are variants of opto-?

When combined with words or word elements that begin with a vowel, opto- becomes opt-, as in optesthesia.

Examples of opto-

An example of a word you may have encountered that features the combining form opto- is optometry, “the practice or profession of examining the eyes.”

We know that opto- means “vision,” but what about the -metry part of the word? The combining form -metry means “the process of measuring.” Optometry literally translates to “measuring vision.”

What are some words that use the combining form opto-?

• optotype
• optometer
• optophone
• optokinetic
• optoelectronics

What are some other forms that opto- may be commonly confused with?

• octo-
• onto-
• oto-

Not every word that begins with the exact letters opto- or opt- are necessarily using the combining form opto- to denote “vision,” such as optimal. Learn why optimal means “best” at our entry for the word.

Break it down!

The combining form -meter means “measure” and is used in the names of various measuring instruments. An optometer is an instrument used to make a special type of measurement on what part of the body?