right angle

noun

1. the angle formed by two radii of a circle that are drawn to the extremities of an arc equal to one quarter of the circle; the angle formed by two perpendicular lines that intersect; an angle of 90°.

right angle

noun

1. the angle between two radii of a circle that cut off on the circumference an arc equal in length to one quarter of the circumference; an angle of 90° or π/2 radians
2. at right angles
   at right angles perpendicular or perpendicularly

right angle

/ rīt /

1. An angle having a measure of 90°.

right angle

1. An angle measuring ninety degrees , formed by the intersection of two perpendicular lines. ( Compare acute angle and obtuse angle .)

Derived Forms

• ˈright-ˌangled, adjective

Other Words From

• right-angled adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of right angle¹

Middle English word dating back to 1350–1400

Example Sentences

Part of it is that when you live in a world that has carpented environments like right angles, where we live in houses in the States makes us focus on those right angles.

From Freakonomics

The monitor arm of some mounts can rotate, swivel, and be aimed at just the right angle.

From Popular-Science

Tauranac, who was serving as head of the MTA’s map committee, wanted landmarks and fewer conceptual right angles.

From Outside Online

Its magnetic-mounting system can attach to metal objects, but it includes adhesives to attach underneath shelves and other unusual places to get the right angle.

From Popular-Science

Scrape back and forth over the crack with a sharp razor blade held at a right angle to the surface.

From Washington Post

Love insisted the feathers be ruffled just enough, the eyes be at just the right angle.

From The Daily Beast

The only one present who was seated like a man, legs crossed at right-angle, was Whoopi Goldberg.

From The Daily Beast

In 1933, Ben Shahn loaned Walker Evans a right-angle viewfinder, which he took on assignment to Vicksburg, Mississippi.

From The Daily Beast

Take a case in Trigonometry—a Complement is what remains after subtracting an angle from one right-angle.

From Project Gutenberg

It was reached by some sixty winding but solid steps, and the little terrace, off at a right angle, was full of color.

From Project Gutenberg

Mr. Parsons wrenched away with a will, and soon the great bar was bent almost to a right angle.

From Project Gutenberg

The Thirteenth and Sixteenth swing out from the trench, turn a right angle to the main line, and face the north.

From Project Gutenberg

It consists of a block of wood with a sloping cut at the right angle to make two pieces.

From Project Gutenberg