visual

[ vizh-oo-uhl ]

adjective

1. of or relating to seeing or sight:

   a visual image.

2. used in seeing:

   the visual sense.

3. optical.
4. perceptible by the sense of sight; visible:

   a visual beauty.

5. perceptible by the mind; of the nature of a mental vision:

   a visual impression captured in a line of verse.

noun

1. Usually visuals.
   1. the picture elements, as distinguished from the sound elements, in films, television, etc.
   2. photographs, slides, films, charts, or other visual materials, especially as used for illustration or promotion. Compare audio, video.
2. a rough, preliminary sketch of an advertising layout, showing possible arrangements of material. Compare comprehensive ( def 5 ).
3. any item or element depending on the sense of sight.

visual

/ -zjʊ-; ˈvɪʒʊəl /

adjective

1. of, relating to, done by, or used in seeing

   visual steering

   visual powers

2. another word for optical
3. capable of being seen; visible
4. of, occurring as, or induced by a mental image

noun

1. a sketch to show the proposed layout of an advertisement, as in a newspaper
2. often plural a photograph, film, or other display material

Derived Forms

• ˈvisually, adverb

Other Words From

• non·visu·al adjective
• sub·visu·al adjective noun
• super·visu·al adjective
• super·visu·al·ly adverb
• un·visu·al adjective
• un·visu·al·ly adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of visual¹

First recorded in 1375–1425; late Middle English, from Late Latin vīsuālis, from vīsu(s) “sight” (noun use of past participle of vidēre “to see”) + -ālis -al ¹

Word History and Origins

Origin of visual¹

C15: from Late Latin vīsuālis, from Latin vīsus sight, from vidēre to see

Example Sentences

These ceremonies included visual and sonic iconographic elements of mythological deities of the Aztec underworld, which may also be symbolized in the Aztec death whistle.

From Science Daily

With those inner gears finely tuned, the filmmakers sought a unique visual environment, a throwback artistically and a step forward technologically — one that felt human.

From Los Angeles Times

The new bespoke logo, written as JaGUar, has "seamlessly blended upper and lower case characters in visual harmony", the company said.

From BBC

It’s no concert film or visual album, but it’s still a gift of Bey proportions: Beyoncé will perform a live NFL halftime show in Houston on Christmas Day that will be streamed by Netflix.

From Los Angeles Times

It’s a subtle visual leap across vast space.

From Los Angeles Times