concave

[kon-keyv, kon-keyv, kon-keyv]

adjective

1. curved like a segment of the interior of a circle or hollow sphere; hollow and curved.

2. Geometry.,  (of a polygon) having at least one interior angle greater than 180°.

3. Obsolete.,  hollow.

noun

1. a concave surface, part, line, or thing.

2. Machinery.,  a concave piece, as one against which a drum rotates.

verb (used with object)

concaved, concaving 

1. to make concave.

concave

/ ˈkɒnkeɪv, kɒnˈkeɪv /

adjective

1. curving inwards

2. physics having one or two surfaces curved or ground in the shape of a section of the interior of a sphere, paraboloid, etc

   a concave lens

3. maths (of a polygon) containing an interior angle greater than 180°

4. an obsolete word for hollow

verb

1. (tr) to make concave

concave

1. Curved inward, like the inside of a circle or sphere.

Other Word Forms

• concavely adverb
• concaveness noun
• subconcave adjective
• subconcavely adverb
• subconcaveness noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of concave¹

1375–1425; late Middle English (< Middle French ) < Latin concavus, hollow. See con-, cave

Word History and Origins

Origin of concave¹

C15: from Latin concavus arched, from cavus hollow

Example Sentences

The digital replica shows that some of the boilers are concave, which suggests they were still operating as they were plunged into the water.

From BBC

Mr Wangchuk studied mechanical engineering after a relative noticed his experiments with concave mirrors to brighten dark buildings and cook food.

From BBC

“My chest was concave trying to pull in breath.”

From BBC

An actor playing an ancient Greek priestess holds a silver torch containing highly combustible materials over a concave mirror.

From Seattle Times

It was a little bit concave, like a bowl.

From Science Daily