lenticular

American  

[len-tik-yuh-ler] / lɛnˈtɪk yə lər /

adjective

1. of or relating to a lens.

2. biconvex; convexo-convex.

3. resembling the seed of a lentil in form; lentil-shaped.

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lenticular British  

/ lɛnˈtɪkjʊlə, ˈlɛntɪˌfɔːm /

adjective

1. Also: lentoid.  shaped like a biconvex lens

2. of or concerned with a lens or lenses

3. shaped like a lentil seed

4. of or relating to a galaxy with a large central bulge, small disc, but no spiral arms, intermediate in shape between spiral and elliptical galaxies

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Other Word Forms

• lenticularly adverb
• postlenticular adjective
• sublenticular adjective

Etymology

Origin of lenticular

1375–1425; late Middle English < Latin lenticulāris lentillike, equivalent to lenticul ( a ) ( lenticle ) + -āris -ar ¹

Explanation

The adjective lenticular describes things with a round shape that's thinner on the edges and widest in the middle, like a lentil. A classic flying saucer is also lenticular. Lenticular is sometimes defined as "lens-shaped," and its Latin root is lens, "lentil." A double-convex lens is shaped like a lentil (imagine two spoons facing each other to get the idea). Lenticular can describe that particular shape, like a lenticular cloud formation. It can also mean "relating to a lens," so eye doctors diagnose conditions like lenticular astigmatism, which affects the eye's lens and causes blurred vision.

Example Sentences

What has been observed may look like flying saucers but they are actually lenticular clouds, also referred to by some as pancake or UFO clouds.

From BBC • Jan. 17, 2025

At most, the movie takes his image from flat to lenticular.

From New York Times • Feb. 14, 2024

That’s how I also like to bring certain materials that used to make me happy as a kid, like the lenticular material, the fuzzy materials.

From Los Angeles Times • Sep. 13, 2023

The packaging includes a holographic style, lenticular slip cover and a fold-out Bandits’ map with the essay “Guerrilla Fantasy” by critic David Sterritt on the back.

From Washington Times • Jul. 7, 2023

The ores of iron concentrated in these ways are in many instances in well-defined layers, or lenticular bodies, which are thickest in the central portion and thin out in all directions.

From North America by Russell, Israel C. (Cook)