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.
Reuniting with go-to Hollywood screenwriter David Koepp, who wrote his kicky techno-thriller Kimi, the director tells a familiar haunted-house story but from the haunter’s perspective — literally, as the entire movie unfolds from a spectral first-person POV! A.a. Dowd, Vulture, 6 Jan. 2025 These spectral mentors offer both comfort and warning, their presence giving new urgency to Shafak’s metaphors. Fidan Cheikosman, JSTOR Daily, 1 Jan. 2025 This image is a composite created using the different spectral capabilities of three different high-powered telescopes. Space.com Staff, Space.com, 1 Jan. 2025 Yet her vocals, which swing from earthy to spectral, contain enormous amounts of pathos, boredom, joy, anxiety, resignation, hope. Amanda Petrusich, The New Yorker, 2 Dec. 2024 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 18 Jan. 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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