optical

[ op-ti-kuhl ]

adjective

1. of, relating to, or applying optics optics or the principles of optics.
2. constructed to assist sight or to correct defects in vision.
3. of or relating to sight or vision; visual.
4. of or relating to the eye.
5. of or relating to an optician or opticians or to their products, especially eyeglasses:

   an optical service.

6. dealing with or skilled in optics.

noun

1. opticals. optical effects.

optical

/ ˈɒptɪkəl /

adjective

1. of, relating to, producing, or involving light
2. of or relating to the eye or to the sense of sight; optic
3. (esp of a lens) aiding vision or correcting a visual disorder

optical

/ ŏp′tĭ-kəl /

1. Relating to vision or the eyes.
2. Relating to optics.
3. Relating to or using visible light.

Derived Forms

• ˈoptically, adverb

Other Words From

• opti·cal·ly adverb
• non·opti·cal adjective
• non·opti·cal·ly adverb
• sub·opti·cal adjective
• sub·opti·cal·ly adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of optical¹

First recorded in 1560–70; optic + -al ¹

Example Sentences

Rather than relying on the superconducting qubits favored by industry leaders, the researchers used single rubidium atoms trapped inside optical cavities.

From Singularity Hub 

As Spot walks around, the operator can simply drag a rectangle around a specific area and the camera will use its 30x optical zoom lens to get a closer look at the situation in that location.

From Popular-Science

Up to 10x zoom is optical, which means the lens actually moves to change the angle of view.

From Popular-Science

Apple also added sensor-based image stabilization, which it claims is actually more effective than the lens-based “optical” system.

From Popular-Science

The end result has the same optical properties as a thin fiber strand, but on a much larger scale.

From Popular-Science

Its 8-megapixel camera, inclusive of true-tone and dual-LED f/2.2 aperture flashes, features optical image stabilization.

From The Daily Beast

Well, I had seen his first film, “Optical Illusions”, so I knew he was talented and had an original approach.

From The Daily Beast

One of the most essential optical principles is that of the 45-degree mirror.

From The Daily Beast

Warby Parker's reinvention of the high-priced optical industry relied on one main tactic: cutting out the middleman.

From The Daily Beast

Within a few years of this painting, Vuillard gave up on most of the goals of optical realism.

From The Daily Beast

The burning atmosphere, the motionless air caused doubtless the optical illusion.

From Project Gutenberg

She was possessed with the idea that there was but one person in San Francisco that day, no matter what the optical delusion.

From Project Gutenberg

Accordingly, a sort of optical conversation commenced between the two young people.

From Project Gutenberg

The outlines of things under these rainbow-tinted undulations produced the chromatic effects of optical glasses made too convex.

From Project Gutenberg

But they had, or maybe it was optical illusion on my part, illusion fostered by mental unrest.

From Project Gutenberg