spectral

[ spek-truhl ]

adjective

1. of or relating to a specter; ghostly; phantom.
2. resembling or suggesting a specter.
3. of, relating to, or produced by a spectrum or spectra.
4. resembling or suggesting a spectrum or spectra.

spectral

/ spɛkˈtrælɪtɪ; ˈspɛktrəl /

adjective

1. of or like a spectre
2. of or relating to a spectrum

   spectral colours

3. physics (of a physical quantity) relating to a single wavelength of radiation

   spectral luminous efficiency

Derived Forms

• spectrality, noun
• ˈspectrally, adverb

Other Words From

• spec·trali·ty spectral·ness noun
• spectral·ly adverb
• non·spectral adjective
• non·spectral·ly adverb
• nonspec·trali·ty noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of spectral¹

First recorded in 1710–20; from Latin spectr(um) ( specter ) + -al ¹

Example Sentences

At its most brilliant and spectral, beauty helps us hold on.

From Los Angeles Times

Other highlights included Weir’s spectral solo performance of Bob Dylan’s “When I Paint My Masterpiece,” Church’s funky “Up on Cripple Creek” and a stately version of “The Night They Drove Old Dixie Down” by the fearsomely bearded country singer Jamey Johnson, who also spent the evening in the concert’s crack house band alongside Campbell, Tench, Don Was, Ryan Bingham and an assortment drummers, backing singers and horn players.

From Los Angeles Times

Otis Jones IV’s Will, the character whose plans to run off with Johnny are upended by his girlfriend’s pregnancy, and Landen Gonzales’ Tunny, who chooses the military route as his answer only to be seriously wounded in combat, are treated almost as spectral presences, insubstantial and more or less tangential.

From Los Angeles Times

He does not require any evidence, not even spectral, to trigger their need to demonstrate unswerving faith.

From Salon

Albums like the next year’s “Skeleton Tree” and especially 2019’s spectral “Ghosteen” “track a development through grief,” Cave says, “because that’s simply what happened to me.”

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• eerie
• shadowy