geometric

American  

[jee-uh-me-trik] / ˌdʒi əˈmɛ trɪk /

adjective

1. of or relating to geometry or to the principles of geometry.

2. resembling or employing the simple rectilinear or curvilinear lines or figures used in geometry.

3. of or relating to painting, sculpture, or ornamentation of predominantly geometric characteristics.

4. (often initial capital letter)

   1. pertaining to or designating a style of vase painting developed in Greece between the 10th and 8th centuries b.c., characterized chiefly by rectilinear or curvilinear shapes in abstract and human figuration, often arranged in tiers or panels around the vase.

   2. designating a style of Greek sculpture of approximately the same period, exemplified chiefly in small figurines or reliefs having a schematic and generalized treatment of the human form.

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noun

1. a geometric pattern, design, etc..

   an ornate and handsome geometric.

geometric British  

/ ˌdʒɪəˈmɛtrɪk /

adjective

1. of, relating to, or following the methods and principles of geometry

2. consisting of, formed by, or characterized by points, lines, curves, or surfaces

   a geometric figure

3. (of design or ornamentation) composed predominantly of simple geometric forms, such as circles, rectangles, triangles, etc

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Other Word Forms

• nongeometric
  adjective
• nongeometrical
  adjective
• semigeometric
  adjective
• semigeometrical
  adjective
• subgeometric
  adjective
• subgeometrical
  adjective
• ungeometric
  adjective
• ungeometrical
  adjective
• geometrically
  adverb
• nongeometrically
  adverb
• semigeometrically
  adverb
• subgeometrically
  adverb
• ungeometrically
  adverb

Etymology

Origin of geometric

First recorded in 1620–30; from Latin geōmetricus, from Greek geōmetrikós, from geométr(ēs) ( geometer + -ikos -ic

Explanation

Use the adjective geometric to describe anything that's decorated with simple shapes and lines. The geometric design of your new wallpaper, with its repeated triangles, makes your room look really sophisticated. In math, geometric refers to geometry — any calculations involving the angles of a polygon or the diameter of a circle are geometric. The Greek root is geometria, "measurement of earth or land." The math definition of geometric is its original meaning, dating to the early 17th century. It wasn't until 1900 that the adjective was first used to describe a design style — specifically, a type of Greek pottery decoration characterized by lines and angles.

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

geometric

O’Keeffe simplified them, exploring geometric shapes and planes of color.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 7, 2026

In the middle of the BioCharger, within the geometric, connected plates of glass, is a Tesla coil, which ionizes the surrounding 12 glass tubes that hold six noble gases, the gases in the earth’s atmosphere.

From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 2, 2026

His widow joined a weaving collective of genocide survivors, working long hours on a back-strap loom to weave the beautiful, intricate geometric designs that Ixil women are famous for.

From Salon ● Sep. 1, 2026

Her forearm tattoo comprises geometric shapes symbolising different members and aspects of her family.

From BBC ● Aug. 10, 2026

Lighter and darker scales wove geometric designs much like the diamond and mountain designs on the rugs that Nali used to weave.

From "Healer of the Water Monster" by Brian Young

Related Words

• geometrical