rhombus
Americannoun
plural
rhombuses, rhombi-
an oblique-angled equilateral parallelogram; any equilateral parallelogram except a square.
-
an equilateral parallelogram, including the square as a special case.
-
a rhombohedron.
noun
plural
rhombusesEtymology
Origin of rhombus
First recorded in 1560–70; from Latin, from Greek rhómbos “anything that may be spun around,” derivative of rhémbein “to revolve”
Compare meaning
How does rhombus compare to similar and commonly confused words? Explore the most common comparisons:
Explanation
A rhombus is a parallelogram with four equal sides and opposite equal angles. A rhombus can be a square, or if it has two acute angles and two obtuse angles, it takes the shape of a diamond. The rhombus gets its name from the Greek rhómbos, which means "a spinning top." This word describes the shape of a "bullroarer," an object that was tied to a cord and spun around, making a great noise. It was used to taunt bulls into action during bull-fighting events. This rhombus-shaped object has been documented as being used for religious rites and games all over the ancient world. Nowadays, we prefer to study the rhombus in geometry.
Vocabulary lists containing rhombus
Geometry - Introductory
Looking to grow your vocabulary? Check out this interactive, curated word list from our team of English language specialists at Vocabulary.com – one of over 17,000 lists we've built to help learners worldwide!
Geometry - Middle School
Interested in learning more words like this one? Our team at Vocabulary.com has got you covered! You can review flashcards, quiz yourself, practice spelling, and more – and it's all completely free to use!
Geometry (Base List)
Want to remember this word for good? Start your learning journey today with our library of interactive, themed word lists built by the experts at Vocabulary.com – we'll help you make the most of your study time!
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Its most potent intelligence use will be in predictive analysis, believes Rhombus Power’s CEO, Anshu Roy.
From Seattle Times • May 23, 2024
All climbing routes from Peruvian Flake West to the Rhombus Wall are also closed, including the popular routes Serenity Crack/Sons of Yesterday and Super Slide.
From Los Angeles Times • Sep. 14, 2023
Even if you haven’t played the original “Psychonauts,” the sequel does a good job of catching you up with current events, including what happens in 2017′s virtual reality game “Psychonauts in the Rhombus of Ruin.”
From Washington Post • Jul. 19, 2021
At PlayStation Experience this past weekend, Double Fine also revealed its first VR game, called Psychonauts in the Rhombus of Ruin.
From The Verge • Dec. 9, 2015
The Rhombus cardina, a passable fish of the pleuronect genus.
From The Sailor's Word-Book An Alphabetical Digest of Nautical Terms, including Some More Especially Military and Scientific, but Useful to Seamen; as well as Archaisms of Early Voyagers, etc. by Belcher, Edward, Sir
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
