noun
-
the state or quality of being convex
-
a convex surface, object, etc; bulge
Other Word Forms
Noun Inflected Forms
Etymology
Origin of convexity
From the Latin word convexitās, dating back to 1590–1600. See convex, -ity
Explanation
The quality of something being round or curved in shape is its convexity. You could describe the convexity of a round, squat vase. The noun convexity is somewhat technical for everyday use — you're more likely to see it in a math textbook than to hear a friend use it to talk about a goldfish bowl. Still, it is a perfectly good way to describe anything that curves or bulges outward, whether it's the belly of a Chinese Buddha or a balloon. Convexity comes from the adjective convex, with its Latin root word convexus, "vaulted or arched."
Vocabulary lists containing convexity
The Lightning Thief
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The Call of Chtulhu
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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.
See Examples For:
Negative convexity means potential price gains for investors from the bond are capped by falling interest rates because borrowers can pay off their loans long before maturity.
From MarketWatch ● Sep. 18, 2026
Homeowners’ prepayment options become more valuable, which exacerbates negative convexity for mortgage bonds.
From MarketWatch ● Sep. 18, 2026
The new 64 Convertible, as with other models recently designed in-house at Hatteras, incorporates a slight degree of convexity forward.
From Time Magazine Archive
This habit creates an excessive lenticular convexity which, over a period of time, causes a focal point in front of the retina, thereby producing a myopic or nearsighted condition.
From Time Magazine Archive
“The convexity will cause some distortion. The reflections size should be off by a factor of—” “Would you speak English?”
From "The Lightning Thief" by Rick Riordan
Mughal ceilings, let your mirrored convexities multiply me at once under your spell tonight.
From New York Times ● Jul. 1, 2021
A research staff works on a trading floor behind convexities of smoked glass, at cockpit-like desks of kid-glove Bentley leather with three screens apiece.
From New York Times ● Jan. 23, 2018
To re-establish the equilibrium of the column, “secondary” or “compensatory” curves, with their convexities to the left, develop in the regions above and below the primary curve.
From Manual of Surgery Volume Second: Extremities—Head—Neck. Sixth Edition. by Alexander Miles
The lenses are usually plano-convex, the convexities being turned towards the object-glass in the negative eye-piece, and towards each other in the positive eye-piece.
From Half-hours with the Telescope Being a Popular Guide to the Use of the Telescope as a Means of Amusement and Instruction. by Richard A. (Richard Anthony) Proctor
If, now, we find that an old, easy shoe has worked the inside surface of its sole into convexities which support the arches, we are safe in imitating that at any rate.
From The Atlantic Monthly, Volume 11, No. 67, May, 1863 by Various
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