vi·su·al
ˈvi-zhə-wəl 
-zhəl;
ˈvizh-wəl
1
: of, relating to, or used in vision
visual organs
2
: attained or maintained by sight
visual impressions
3
: visible
visual objects
4
: producing mental images : vivid
5
: done or executed by sight only
visual navigation
6
: of, relating to, or employing visual aids
: something (such as a graphic) that appeals to the sight and is used for effect or illustration
—usually used in plural
Synonyms
Examples of visual in a Sentence
Adjective
color, shape, and other visual attributes
She appreciates the visual arts such as painting and film.
Maps are a visual tool for learning.
Noun
Should I include some visuals in my presentation?
a film director known for his powerful visuals
Recent Examples on the Web
Geoff Edgers, Washington Post, 11 Apr. 2024
The contortions of the plot also work because Park is such an arresting and inventive visual storyteller.
—Alan Sepinwall, Rolling Stone, 10 Apr. 2024
New moments in the visual include shots of her giggling and sticking her tongue out while kneeling on the motel room bed, adjusting her iconic beehive hairdo and coyly smiling and interacting with a man who's trying to get her attention on the street, in addition to other clips of b-roll.
—Sadie Bell, Peoplemag, 10 Apr. 2024
Rather than rely on visual effects and a green screen, Leitch worked with O’Hara to create the in-camera stunt sequences.
—Jazz Tangcay, Variety, 9 Apr. 2024
Over 200 images are also in the book–this takes readers on an exploratory and visual journey alongside Jackson’s writings.
—Robyn Mowatt, Essence, 9 Apr. 2024
The system steers, brakes and accelerates in highway lanes and is designed to deliver audible and visual alerts when the driver does not comply.
—USA TODAY, 9 Apr. 2024
Tim McGovern, a visual effects veteran who earned an Oscar for his work on 1990’s Total Recall, died Saturday in his sleep.
—Kimberly Nordyke, The Hollywood Reporter, 30 Mar. 2024
Beyond the algorithm, TikTok offers billions of videos, users, comments and interactions; in-app utilities, like a video editor and live-streaming tool; libraries for background music and visual effects; and systems for advertising, online shopping and flagging rule-breaking content.
—Drew Harwell, Washington Post, 30 Mar. 2024
Kerane Marcellus, Essence, 12 Apr. 2024
Running off of a Intel 12th Generation Core i7 processor with a NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3080 handling the visuals, output is stable and speedy.
—K. Thor Jensen, PCMAG, 11 Apr. 2024
The viral footage, among other visuals shared on social media, quickly opened the floodgates.
—Leda Joy Abkenari, CNN, 10 Apr. 2024
The museum’s April 8 programming begins at 10:00 a.m. PST and includes four streams: live coverage in both English and Spanish; a real-time telescope feed from Torreón, Mexico; and the musical sonification, which will accompany the visuals streamed from Junction.
—Aaron Boorstein, Smithsonian Magazine, 3 Apr. 2024
Even from miles away, the destruction of the Francis Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore is a jarring visual: Chunks of steel jut above the water like metallic icebergs.
—Eduardo Medina, New York Times, 31 Mar. 2024
Depending on its features, a crib mobile can also serve as a sound machine and provide a relaxing visual as your baby drifts off to sleep.
—Bridget Shirvell, Parents, 26 Mar. 2024
Those visuals are at the opposite ends of a broad spectrum of photos The Star’s team of visual journalists captured throughout a year filled with soaring highs, gut wrenching lows, and moments in between.
—Emily Curiel, Kansas City Star, 30 Mar. 2024
Today, their bond extends beyond mere inspiration, with her brother actively contributing to the production and visuals of her most recent music while also serving as her lead drummer on tour, underscoring the enduring strength of their bond and creative synergy.
—Dr. Brittany Chambers, Forbes, 29 Mar. 2024
Adjective
For Anastasio, the Vegas gigs will offer a chance to experiment with a new venue packed with sonic and visual opportunities.
—Geoff Edgers, Washington Post, 11 Apr. 2024
The contortions of the plot also work because Park is such an arresting and inventive visual storyteller.
—Alan Sepinwall, Rolling Stone, 10 Apr. 2024
New moments in the visual include shots of her giggling and sticking her tongue out while kneeling on the motel room bed, adjusting her iconic beehive hairdo and coyly smiling and interacting with a man who's trying to get her attention on the street, in addition to other clips of b-roll.
—Sadie Bell, Peoplemag, 10 Apr. 2024
Rather than rely on visual effects and a green screen, Leitch worked with O’Hara to create the in-camera stunt sequences.
—Jazz Tangcay, Variety, 9 Apr. 2024
Over 200 images are also in the book–this takes readers on an exploratory and visual journey alongside Jackson’s writings.
—Robyn Mowatt, Essence, 9 Apr. 2024
The system steers, brakes and accelerates in highway lanes and is designed to deliver audible and visual alerts when the driver does not comply.
—USA TODAY, 9 Apr. 2024
Tim McGovern, a visual effects veteran who earned an Oscar for his work on 1990’s Total Recall, died Saturday in his sleep.
—Kimberly Nordyke, The Hollywood Reporter, 30 Mar. 2024
Beyond the algorithm, TikTok offers billions of videos, users, comments and interactions; in-app utilities, like a video editor and live-streaming tool; libraries for background music and visual effects; and systems for advertising, online shopping and flagging rule-breaking content.
—Drew Harwell, Washington Post, 30 Mar. 2024
Noun
On his Instagram, the designer posted a visual to associate with the collection.
—Kerane Marcellus, Essence, 12 Apr. 2024
Running off of a Intel 12th Generation Core i7 processor with a NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3080 handling the visuals, output is stable and speedy.
—K. Thor Jensen, PCMAG, 11 Apr. 2024
The viral footage, among other visuals shared on social media, quickly opened the floodgates.
—Leda Joy Abkenari, CNN, 10 Apr. 2024
The museum’s April 8 programming begins at 10:00 a.m. PST and includes four streams: live coverage in both English and Spanish; a real-time telescope feed from Torreón, Mexico; and the musical sonification, which will accompany the visuals streamed from Junction.
—Aaron Boorstein, Smithsonian Magazine, 3 Apr. 2024
Even from miles away, the destruction of the Francis Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore is a jarring visual: Chunks of steel jut above the water like metallic icebergs.
—Eduardo Medina, New York Times, 31 Mar. 2024
Depending on its features, a crib mobile can also serve as a sound machine and provide a relaxing visual as your baby drifts off to sleep.
—Bridget Shirvell, Parents, 26 Mar. 2024
Those visuals are at the opposite ends of a broad spectrum of photos The Star’s team of visual journalists captured throughout a year filled with soaring highs, gut wrenching lows, and moments in between.
—Emily Curiel, Kansas City Star, 30 Mar. 2024
Today, their bond extends beyond mere inspiration, with her brother actively contributing to the production and visuals of her most recent music while also serving as her lead drummer on tour, underscoring the enduring strength of their bond and creative synergy.
—Dr. Brittany Chambers, Forbes, 29 Mar. 2024
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'visual.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near visual
Cite this Entry
“Visual.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/visual. Accessed 18 Apr. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
visual
1 of 2 adjective
vi·su·al
ˈvizh-(ə-)wəl
ˈvizh-əl
1
: of, relating to, or used in vision
visual organs
2
: received by sight
visual impressions
3
: visible sense 1
visual objects
4
: of, relating to, or using visual aids
a visual presentation
visual
2 of 2 noun
: something (as a picture, chart, or film) that appeals to the sight and is used to illustrate, demonstrate, or advertise
—usually used in plural
Medical Definition
visual
adjective
vi·su·al
ˈvizh-(ə-)wəl, ˈvizh-əl
1
: of, relating to, or used in vision
visual organs
2
: attained or maintained by sight
visual impressions
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