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Definition of retinal

retinal

/ˈrɛt.ɪ.nəl/
ret · i · nal
Plural:retinals
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retinal Lexical Profile

retinal Game Scores & Validity

• adjective

1

Of, relating to, or affecting the retina of the eye.

Example

"The ophthalmologist performed a thorough retinal examination to check for early signs of macular degeneration."

• noun

1

A yellow to orange aldehyde form of vitamin A that binds with opsin proteins in photoreceptor cells to form visual pigments essential for vision.

Example

"When light strikes the eye, retinal changes its molecular shape and triggers a nerve impulse to the brain."

Synonyms
View all synonyms for retinal

Word Nuance & Usage

As a biochemical noun, 'retinal' (the aldehyde form of vitamin A) is often confused with 'retinol' (the alcohol form) in dermatological and skincare contexts.

• Rhymes for retinal

• Nearby Words

retile
retime
retina
retinal
retinoid
retinol
retinue

Word Origin & Etymology

Formed from Medieval Latin 'retina' (from Latin 'rete', meaning 'net', referring to the network of blood vessels at the back of the eye) combined with the suffix '-al' (denoting 'relating to' as an adjective, or 'aldehyde' in chemical nomenclature).

Cite this Entry

Wordmom. (2026). Definition of Retinal. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Nov 5, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/retinal
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