spectral

adjective

spec·​tral ˈspek-trəl 

1

: of, relating to, or suggesting a specter : ghostly

We felt a spectral presence in the old ballroom.

No ghost stood beside me, nor anything of spectral aspect; merely a motherly, dumpy little woman, in a large shawl, a wrapping-gown, and a clean, trim nightcap.

—Charlotte Brontë

2

: of, relating to, or made by a spectrum

especially : relating to or derived from the electromagnetic spectrum of visible light

Surfaces can differ in the proportion of incident light they reflect (dark ones reflect less than light ones) and in the spectral composition of the light they reflect.

—Principles Of Neural Science

Their examination supported the opinion that the stone was mined in India and cut in London. They also found that the spectral characteristics overlap those of known treated green diamonds.

—Lapidary Journal

spectrally

ˈspek-trə-lē 

adverb

Examples of spectral in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Walter, who died in 2009, would go on to claim to have been visited by a spectral King Charles II, and to have knowledge that extraterrestrials had overrun his estate in Dominica. —Alex Greenberger, ARTnews.com, 16 Aug. 2024

Satisfied with the spectral setting, the directors returned to town with a small crew and their three leads. —Matt Cohen, Washington Post, 31 July 2024

The purpose of the unnamed mission isn't just to deflect the asteroid, but to determine the shape, size, composition, and structure of the target asteroid using spectral and laser 3D detectors, mid-field color cameras, detection radars, and dust particle analyzers. —David Szondy, New Atlas, 17 July 2024

There’s also something rather spectral about Rivera’s painting. —Christopher Knight, Los Angeles Times, 15 July 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1769, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing spectral

• spectral line

Kids Definition

spectral

adjective

spec·​tral ˈspek-trəl 

1

: of, relating to, or suggesting a specter : ghostly

2

: of, relating to, or made by a spectrum

Medical Definition

spectral

adjective

spec·​tral ˈspek-trəl 

: of, relating to, or made by a spectrum

spectrally adverb