optics

Language: en

🇬🇧 /ˈɒptɪks/ 🇺🇸 /ˈɑptɪks/

📖 Definitions

  1. noun
    The branch of physics that deals with the behavior and properties of light, including its interactions with matter and the construction of instruments that use or detect it.; The optical components or elements of a device, such as lenses, mirrors, or prisms.; The way in which something appears to the public; the perceived impression or appearance of a situation, action, or decision.

🔗 Details

Word forms

uncountable

Collocations

the optics ofbad opticsgood opticsoptics of the situationpublic optics

Derivatives

opticalopticallyopticianopticoptometristoptometryoptoelectronics

Synonyms

perceptionappearanceimagelookphotonics

Commonly confused

optic
EN: 'Optic' is a countable noun referring to a single lens or optical component; 'optics' is the uncountable field of study or the abstract concept of public perception.
optician
EN: 'Optician' is a person who makes or sells eyeglasses; 'optics' is the science or the perceived appearance of something.

Spelling tips

EN: Remember that 'optics' as a field of study takes a singular verb ('Optics is a branch of physics'), but in the informal sense of public perception it often takes a plural verb ('The optics are terrible').

💬 Examples

  1. She studied optics at university and went on to design laser systems.

  2. The telescope's optics needed to be cleaned and realigned.

  3. The optics of the CEO taking a bonus while laying off workers were terrible.