congruent

American  

[kong-groo-uhnt, kuhn-groo-, kuhng-] / ˈkɒŋ gru ənt, kənˈgru-, kəŋ- /

adjective

1. agreeing; accordant; congruous.

   His testimony was perfectly congruent with the content retrieved from the suspect’s phone.

2. Mathematics. of or relating to two numbers related by a congruence.

3. Geometry. (of figures) coinciding at all points when superimposed.

   congruent triangles.

4. Chemistry. (of a substance or compound) not undergoing a change in composition when undergoing a reaction, as with congruent melting.

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congruent British  

/ ˈkɒŋɡrʊənt /

adjective

1. agreeing; corresponding; congruous

2. having identical shapes so that all parts correspond Compare similar

   congruent triangles

3. of or concerning two integers related by a congruence

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congruent Scientific  

/ kŏng′gro̅o̅-ənt,kən-gro̅o̅′ənt /

1. Relating to geometric figures that have the same size and shape. Two triangles are congruent, for example, if their sides are of the same length and their internal angles are of the same measure.

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Other Word Forms

• noncongruent
  adjective
• congruently
  adverb
• noncongruently
  adverb

Etymology

Origin of congruent

First recorded in 1425–75; late Middle English, from Latin congruent- (stem of congruēns, present participle of congruere “to come together, fit in, agree”), equivalent to con- prefix meaning “together” + -gru- base of uncertain meaning (attested only in this verb and ingruere “to fall upon”) + -ent- participle ending; see con-, -ent

Explanation

The adjective congruent fits when two shapes are the same in shape and size. If you lay two congruent triangles on each other, they would match up exactly. Congruent comes from the Latin verb congruere "to come together, correspond with." Figuratively, the word describes something that is similar in character or type. Are your actions congruent with your values? If a friend says something outrageous that you don't want to agree with but don't want to disagree with either, say that your friend's idea is congruent with what you think. That way you can agree with him but change your mind later if you have to.

Example Sentences

The race set up as expected with Cave Rock pressing the early leader Congruent on the outside.

From Los Angeles Times • Nov. 4, 2022

Congruent, organized stones give the latter construction structural integrity.

From Salon • Mar. 20, 2022

Congruent with the military feel, firearms feature more heavily, although the core experience is still very much based on melee.

From Forbes • Mar. 15, 2013

Congruent polygons have mutually equal sides and mutually equal angles, while equivalent polygons have no equality save that of area.

From The Teaching of Geometry by Smith, David Eugene