spherical

[ sfer-i-kuhl, sfeer- ]

adjective

1. having the form of a sphere; globular.

   Synonyms: rounded

2. formed in or on a sphere, as a figure.
3. of or relating to a sphere or spheres.
4. pertaining to the heavenly bodies, or to their supposed revolving spheres or shells.
5. pertaining to the heavenly bodies regarded astrologically as exerting influence on humankind and events.

spherical

/ ˈsfɛrɪkəl /

adjective

1. shaped like a sphere
2. of or relating to a sphere

   spherical geometry

3. geometry formed on the surface of or inside a sphere

   a spherical triangle

4. 1. of or relating to heavenly bodies
   2. of or relating to the spheres of the Ptolemaic or the Copernican system

Derived Forms

• ˈspherically, adverb
• ˈsphericalness, noun

Other Words From

• spheri·cali·ty noun
• spheri·cal·ly adverb
• non·spheric adjective
• non·spheri·cal adjective
• non·spheri·cal·ly adverb
• nonspher·i·cali·ty noun
• quasi-spheri·cal adjective
• quasi-spheri·cal·ly adverb
• sub·spheric adjective
• sub·spheri·cal adjective
• un·spheri·cal adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of spherical¹

1515–25; < Late Latin sphēric ( us ) ( spherics ¹ ) + -al ¹

Example Sentences

There’s all sorts of extra complexity, from mountains to atmospheres to oceans and rivers, when rocky worlds grow big enough for their own gravity to make them spherical.

From Science News

In fact, the very first study to use the phrase “Brazil nut effect,” published in Physical Review Letters in 1987, was done on spherical objects, he says.

From Science News

The discovery of an ancient star SMSS J2003-1142 in the Milky Way’s halo—which is the roughly spherical region that surrounds the galaxy—is providing the first evidence for another source for heavy elements, including uranium and possibly gold.

From Singularity Hub 

Also called round zucchini, these spherical beauties can be used much the same as their elongated brethren.

From Washington Post

He’s convinced his spherical probe can see mountains at scales not possible from orbit.

From Popular-Science

Objects more massive than a certain amount are more spherical than not, while punier specimens are lumpy and irregular.

From The Daily Beast

And, oh, occasionally, the golden snitch—a flying spherical ball—will flutter into the proceedings, creating chaos.

From The Daily Beast

When it is new, and also when in its waning stages it is visible in the daytime, the spherical form is very apparent.

From Project Gutenberg

We may note that in a few months of heavy weather the stones of such a fall have all been reduced to rudely spherical forms.

From Project Gutenberg

These bits are commonly distinctly faceted; they rarely have a spherical form.

From Project Gutenberg

Upon these spherical aggregations of the clouds the winds act in extremely varied ways.

From Project Gutenberg

He was crouching, the spherical plastic object in his right hand, his thumb over the button, when the field collapsed.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• celestial