English · Word Candidate

optical

/ˈɒptɪkəl/

Proposed by a contributor, not yet supported by evidence.

Also seen as: opticals

Sense 1

Meaning · English

Of or relating to sight; visual.

Adjective

Examples

Strabismus is an optical defect.

Usage example from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01)

Sources & notes

Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01 via kaikki.org).

Sense 2

Meaning · English

Designed to assist or enhance sight

Adjective

Examples

A microscope is an optical instrument.

Usage example from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01)

Sources & notes

Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01 via kaikki.org).

Sense 3

Meaning · English

Any special effect requiring laboratory work on the film.

Noun

Examples

It is a glossy film with gross, opulent opticals and little comic, or any, relief; it has the jaundiced complexion of an early 60s underground film, which it is; it is ponderous, Wagnerian, and feels about five hours long (its running time is about an hour).

Usage example from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01)

Sources & notes

Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01 via kaikki.org).

Common questions

What does “optical” mean?

Of or relating to sight; visual.

Is “optical” formal or informal?

No register label has been reviewed yet — treat it as neutral and check the usage notes above.