symmetrical

[ si-me-tri-kuhl ]
See synonyms for: symmetricalsymmetrically on Thesaurus.com

adjective
  1. characterized by or exhibiting symmetry; well-proportioned, as a body or whole; regular in form or arrangement of corresponding parts.

  2. Geometry.

    • noting two points in a plane such that the line segment joining the points is bisected by an axis: Points (1, 1) and (1, −1) are symmetrical with respect to the x-axis.

    • noting a set consisting of pairs of points having this relation with respect to the same axis.

    • noting two points in a plane such that the line segment joining the points is bisected by a point or center: The points (1, 1) and (−1, −1) are symmetrical with respect to (0, 0).

    • noting a set consisting of pairs of points having this relation with respect to the same center.

  1. Usually symmetric .Mathematics.

    • noting a square matrix that is equal to its transpose.

    • noting a dyad or dyadic that is equal to its conjugate.

    • noting a relation in which one element in relation to a second implies the second in relation to the first.

  2. Botany.

    • divisible into two similar parts by more than one plane passing through the center; actinomorphic.

    • (of a flower) having the same number of parts in each whorl.

  3. Chemistry.

    • having a structure that exhibits a regular repeated pattern of the component parts.

    • noting a benzene derivative in which three substitutions have occurred at alternate carbon atoms.

  4. affecting corresponding parts simultaneously, as certain diseases.

Origin of symmetrical

1
First recorded in 1745–55; symmetr(y) + -ical
  • Also sym·met·ric [si-me-trik] /sɪˈmɛ trɪk/ .

Other words for symmetrical

Other words from symmetrical

  • sym·met·ri·cal·ly, adverb
  • sym·met·ri·cal·ness, noun
  • non·sym·met·ri·cal, adjective
  • un·sym·met·ri·cal, adjective
  • un·sym·met·ri·cal·ly, adverb

Words Nearby symmetrical

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024

How to use symmetrical in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for symmetrical

symmetrical

/ (sɪˈmɛtrɪkəl) /


adjective
  1. possessing or displaying symmetry: Compare asymmetric

  2. maths

    • (of two points) capable of being joined by a line that is bisected by a given point or bisected perpendicularly by a given line or plane: the points ( x, y ) and ( –x, –y ) are symmetrical about the origin

    • (of a configuration) having pairs of points that are symmetrical about a given point, line, or plane: a circle is symmetrical about a diameter

    • (of an equation or function of two or more variables) remaining unchanged in form after an interchange of two variables: x + y = z is a symmetrical equation

  1. chem (of a compound) having a molecular structure in which substituents are symmetrical about the molecule

  2. botany another word for isomerous

  3. Also: symmetric (of a disease, infection, etc) affecting both sides of the body or corresponding parts, such as both legs

Derived forms of symmetrical

  • symmetrically, adverb
  • symmetricalness, noun

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012