spectrum

Everyday

1. The spectrum is the band of colours that white light splits into, as in a rainbow: red, orange, yellow, green, blue, indigo, violet. tree →
2. A whole range of different but related things, from one end to another. tree →
3. The autism spectrum: autistic people are said to be "on the spectrum". tree →

In the lessons

Used in science lessons about light: a prism splits white light into a spectrum. In everyday talk: "a wide spectrum of opinions". In lessons about difference and respect: autism is a spectrum, so every autistic person is different.

Examples

• A prism splits white light into a spectrum. tree →
• The rainbow shows the colours of the spectrum. tree →
• Red is at one end of the spectrum and violet at the other. tree →
• Our class has a wide spectrum of interests. tree →
• My cousin is on the autism spectrum. tree →
• Sound also has a spectrum of high and low pitches. tree →

Note

Plural: spectra (science) or spectrums. Remember the colour order with "Richard Of York Gave Battle In Vain" or "ROY G BIV". Adjective: spectral.