diametric
Britishadjective
-
Also: diametral. of, related to, or along a diameter
-
completely opposed
Explanation
Diametric describes something having to do with a straight line cutting through a circle, which is probably what your geometry teacher means by diametric. It's also used for two things that couldn't be more different from each other. Outside of math class, diametric is most commonly used to mean "completely different." So you might say that your sociable, friendly cat is the diametric opposite of your shy dog. Or that your current French teacher, who's solemn and stern, is the diametric opposite of last year's funny, laid-back French teacher. Imagine these diametric opposites standing on opposing sides of a circle. The word comes from diameter and its Greek root diametros, "diagonal of a circle."
Vocabulary lists containing diametric
meter, metr
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!
Frankly in Love
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!
Florida's B.E.S.T. Roots: meter, metr
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.
“Then Covid hit, and there was a diametric change.”
From The Wall Street Journal • Nov. 15, 2025
She’s someone who plugs into our culture's diametric emotions related to homemaking and feminism.
From Salon • Jan. 29, 2024
We used small moments, like both men washing their children’s dinner plates, to help us show the shared humanity of people who are diametric opposites.
From Los Angeles Times • Dec. 13, 2023
What followed in the 2013-14 series against England was the diametric opposite - one of the most intimidating fast-bowling performances of all time.
From BBC • Jun. 20, 2023
The psychology of each must be diametric, for if there is no government to make money there is no money to counterfeit.
From Wings of the Wind by Harris, Credo Fitch
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.
