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

Derived Forms

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

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

The architects working to complete Gaudí’s vision have used computer modeling to test the stability of his geometric designs—and have found that Gaudí knew exactly what he was doing.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 7, 2026

The researchers addressed this by using the shortest path in their geometric model of color perception rather than relying on a simple straight line.

From Science Daily • Jun. 7, 2026

Whether it's the arm swings of Zara Larsson's Lush Life or the geometric shapes of the PinkPantheress song Girl Like Me, chances are you've seen - and maybe even tried - the dance routines.

From BBC • May 29, 2026

Heading upstairs, guests will find two large bedrooms that each boast their own walk-in closet and share a spacious bathroom with geometric tiles and a large soaking tub.

From MarketWatch • May 28, 2026

This was the beginning of the discipline of projective geometry, where mathematicians look at the shadows and projections of geometric figures to uncover hidden truths even more powerful than the equivalence of parabolas and ellipses.

From "Zero: The Biography of a Dangerous Idea" by Charles Seife

Related Words

• geometrical