optic

1 of 2

adjective

op·​tic ˈäp-tik 

: of or relating to vision or the eye

optic

2 of 2

noun

1

: eye

2

a

: any of the elements (such as lenses, mirrors, or light guides) of an optical instrument or system

—usually used in plural

b

: an optical instrument

Synonyms

Adjective

• ocular
• optical
• visual

Examples of optic in a Sentence

Adjective

the optic nerve

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

The first symptom to appear is diabetes mellitus, usually diagnosed around age six, and optic atrophy (progressive vision loss) around age 11. —Carisa Brewster, Verywell Health, 14 Jan. 2025

The vacuum has a fluffy optic cleaner head that not only cleans but also polishes hard floors. —Terri Williams, Architectural Digest, 2 Dec. 2024

Noun

But lawmakers don’t like the optics of opposing early childhood education, which is why the program’s funding keeps growing. —The Wall Street Journal, Twin Cities, 30 Jan. 2025

The awful optics made spectacularly bad timing for a parallel effort to force millions of federal workers off payrolls through an unfunded buyout program, as many of those workers doubted the administration officials behind the offer are equipped to see it through. —Philip Elliott, TIME, 29 Jan. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Adjective

Middle English, from Medieval Latin opticus, from Greek optikos, from opsesthai to be going to see; akin to Greek opsis appearance, ōps eye — more at eye

First Known Use

Adjective

15th century, in the meaning defined above

Noun

1601, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing optic

• electro-optic
• fiber-optic
• magneto-optic
• optic axis
• optic chiasma
• optic cup
• optic disc
• optic lobe
• optic nerve
• optic vesicle

Kids Definition

optic

adjective

op·​tic

ˈäp-tik

: of or relating to vision or the eye

Etymology

Adjective

Middle English optic "relating to the eye," from Latin opticus (same meaning), from Greek optikos (same meaning), from opsesthai "to be going to see" — related to autopsy

Medical Definition

optic

1 of 2 adjective

op·​tic ˈäp-tik 

1

a

: of or relating to vision

optic phenomena

b

: dependent chiefly on vision for orientation

humans are basically optic animals

2

a

: of or relating to the eye : ocular

b

: affecting the eye or an optic structure

optic

2 of 2 noun

1

: any of the elements (as lenses, mirrors, or light guides) of an optical instrument or system

—usually used in plural

2

: an optical instrument