The spelling of the word "myopic" can be a bit confusing due to the uncommon combination of letters used. Myopic [mahy-op-ik] is pronounced as /maɪˈɒpɪk/ or "mai - op - ik". The "y" is pronounced as "ai" and the "o" is pronounced as a short "o", which is similar to the sound in "lot". The "p" and "c" are pronounced individually, with the "i" and "c" forming a "k" sound. Myopic is an adjective used to describe someone or something that is short-sighted or lacks vision.
Myopic is an adjective that describes a person having an inability to see or focus on objects clearly, whether near or far, due to a visual condition called myopia or being nearsighted. In this sense, myopic refers specifically to a visual impairment and is commonly used in the context of ophthalmology.
However, the term myopic can also be used metaphorically to describe a person's cognitive or mental state. In this figurative sense, a myopic individual is characterized by a lack of foresight, narrow-mindedness, or a limited perspective on situations. They tend to be shortsighted and fail to consider the long-term consequences or bigger picture. Myopic people typically prioritize short-term gains or instant gratifications over long-term benefits or sustainable outcomes.
When applied to situations or organizations, myopic indicates a tendency to focus excessively on immediate concerns or immediate gains, often at the expense of long-term sustainability or planning. It implies a lack of strategic vision, as decisions are made based solely on short-term goals, without considering future implications. This myopic approach can hinder progress, innovation, and growth, as it restricts the ability to adapt and plan for future challenges or opportunities.
In essence, myopic can describe both a physical impairment in vision and a metaphorical limitation in outlook or intellectual perspective. In either case, it suggests a restricted or distorted perception that prevents an individual from seeing the full range of possibilities or potential consequences.
Short-sighted.
Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.
* The statistics data for these misspellings percentages are collected from over 15,411,110 spell check sessions on www.spellchecker.net from Jan 2010 - Jun 2012.
The word "myopic" is derived from the ancient Greek word "muōpikós" (μυωπικός), which is a combination of "muōps" (μυωψ) meaning "nearsighted" and "ikos" (ικος) meaning "pertaining to". The term was later adopted into Latin as "myōpicus" before being incorporated into English as "myopic".