spectral

adjective

spec·​tral ˈspek-trəl How to pronounce spectral (audio)
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 adverb

Examples of spectral in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
As Atom and Claudine traverse the countryside and meet various other characters (cast mostly from non-professional actors), the frame takes on a spectral presence. Siddhant Adlakha, Variety, 14 Feb. 2025 Hazel’s magical threads can be fashioned into a temporary glider or a grappling hook to help with platforming, used to conjure spectral objects that seem somewhat stuck between worlds, and wielded in battle to push enemies away and pull them towards her. Alyssa Mercante, Rolling Stone, 11 Feb. 2025 The tragic conclusion reveals the spectral figures of guilt and regret that have made a home in this house, as much a part of it as any of its ghosts. Gayle Sequeira, Vulture, 20 Jan. 2025 Sayre Gomez’s 2 Spirits (2024), for example, features the sun setting behind a mural of a spectral figure that seems inspired by William Blake. Carolina A. Miranda, ARTnews.com, 15 Jan. 2025 See all Example Sentences for spectral 

Word History

First Known Use

1769, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of spectral was in 1769

Dictionary Entries Near spectral

Cite this Entry

“Spectral.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/spectral. Accessed 20 Feb. 2025.

Kids Definition

spectral

adjective
spec·​tral ˈspek-trəl How to pronounce spectral (audio)
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 How to pronounce spectral (audio)
: of, relating to, or made by a spectrum
spectrally adverb

More from Merriam-Webster on spectral

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