# visual

/ˈvɪʒəwəɫ/ (US) · /vˈɪʒuːəl/ (UK)

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

## Senses

### 1. related to sight

adjective · CEFR B1 · General-service

relating to seeing or the sense of sight.

For teachers: relating to or affecting the sense of vision.

- The artist has a very strong visual memory and can paint scenes from years ago.
- The film's visual style is heavily influenced by mid-century noir, using sharp shadows and high-contrast lighting to create a sense of dread.

Usage: Usually placed before the noun.

### 2. an image or graphic

noun · CEFR B2 · Academic

a picture, diagram, or piece of film used to show or explain something.

For teachers: a graphic, image, or video clip used to illustrate a point or enhance a presentation.

- The presentation was good, but it needed more visuals to keep the audience interested.
- The marketing team spent weeks refining the visuals for the campaign, ensuring that every graphic aligned with the brand's new identity.

Usage: Often used in the plural when referring to a presentation.

Teaching tip: In business and academic contexts, 'visuals' refers specifically to the slides or charts that accompany a speech.

### 3. a preliminary sketch

noun · CEFR C1 · Technical

a rough drawing or plan made before the final version of an advertisement or design.

For teachers: a preliminary sketch or layout of an advertisement or design used for planning purposes.

- The designer showed us a rough visual of the new magazine cover.
- Before moving to the digital rendering phase, the art director reviewed several hand-drawn visuals to determine the best composition for the billboard.

Teaching tip: This is a specific industry term used in advertising and graphic design agencies.

## Examples

- The presentation includes many visual aids like charts and photos.
- The marketing team decided that a strong visual identity was more important than a long slogan.
- While the script was technically proficient, the film's true power lay in its visual storytelling, which conveyed deep emotion without a single line of dialogue.

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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.