# optical

/ˈɑptɪkəɫ/ (US) · /ˈɒptɪkəl/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/optical
Updated: 2026-06-19

## Senses

### 1. relating to sight

adjective · CEFR B2

relating to the sense of sight or the way you see things.

For teachers: pertaining to the biological or psychological process of vision.

- An optical illusion can make a flat drawing look like it has depth.
- The brain processes optical signals from the eyes to create a coherent map of the physical environment.

### 2. using light or lenses

adjective · CEFR B2

using light or lenses to help you see or to record information.

For teachers: utilising light-sensitive components or lenses to enhance vision or transmit data.

- The telescope uses high-quality optical glass to see distant stars.
- Optical fibre cables allow for much faster data transmission than traditional copper wires by using pulses of light.

### 3. film special effects

noun · CEFR C1 · Technical

a special effect in a film made by changing the film itself in a lab.

For teachers: a visual effect created through laboratory processes or camera manipulation rather than digital CGI.

- Old movies used physical opticals to create fades between scenes.
- Before the advent of digital compositing, complex opticals were achieved through multiple exposures on a single strip of film.

Usage: usually used in the plural form 'opticals'

## Examples

- The camera has a high-quality optical lens.
- The scientist used an optical microscope to examine the structure of the cells under bright light.
- Modern high-speed internet relies on optical fibres that transmit data as pulses of light across vast distances with minimal signal loss.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.