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

Daisy, seven, from Somerset, has visual difficulties and struggled to see the text on worksheets and the board at school.

From BBC

Critics have welcomed the film's unique visual style, calling it "disarmingly joyous" and "oddly charming" - but they've also questioned one of the film's big omissions.

From BBC

“We love mixing complementary colors, and the cyan and warm hues have visual elements that are part of the original film, but we’re also leading you into the musical side of this film when Lady Gaga begins to sing.”

From Los Angeles Times

Flame bars created the dancing firestorm behind the characters, augmented by practical visual effects from the actual burning of a replica set.

From Los Angeles Times

Unlike “Better Man” or “Emilia Pérez,” there are no backup dancers or visual effects in the context of the scenes.

From Los Angeles Times