Pythagorean

American  

[pi-thag-uh-ree-uhn] / pɪˌθæg əˈri ən /

adjective

1. of or relating to Pythagoras, to his school, or to his doctrines.

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noun

1. a follower of Pythagoras.

Pythagorean British  

/ paɪˌθæɡəˈriːən /

adjective

1. of or relating to Pythagoras

2. denoting the diatonic scale of eight notes arrived at by Pythagoras and based on a succession of fifths

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noun

1. a follower of Pythagoras

Other Word Forms

• post-Pythagorean
  adjective

Etymology

Origin of Pythagorean

1540–50; < Latin Pȳthagorē ( us ) (< Greek Pȳthagóreios of Pythagoras) + -an

Example Sentences

Overhead, a stylized starry sky—gold against deep blue—illustrates the Pythagorean idea of the music of the spheres.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jan. 30, 2026

We still use the Pythagorean theorem and euclidean principles.

From Slate • Sep. 26, 2025

The Pythagorean theorem provides an equation to calculate the longer side of a right triangle by summing the squares of the other two sides.

From Scientific American • Apr. 10, 2023

“Yeah, Pythagorean theorem,” Kelly cracked when asked what he had learned from his players.

From Los Angeles Times • Oct. 28, 2022

When she looked, he pointed to a page with the Pythagorean theorem.

From "Out of Darkness" by Ashley Hope Pérez