The present invention is directed to provide an organic/inorganic composite optical material and an optical element in which organic component and inorganic component are in good dispersed state and which has excellent optical characteristics. The organic/inorganic composite optical material comprises an organic high-molecular substance and an inorganic polymer which is prepared by the polycondensation of a metal alkoxide compound, and is characterized in that the metal alkoxide compound includes a functional group capable of interacting with the organic high-molecular substance or a monomer/oligomer generating the organic high-molecular substance to form a chemical bond therebetween.