spherical

[ sfer-i-kuhl, sfeer- ]

/ ˈsfɛr ɪ kəl, ˈsfɪər- /

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See synonyms for spherical on Thesaurus.com

adjective

having the form of a sphere; globular.

formed in or on a sphere, as a figure.

of or relating to a sphere or spheres.

pertaining to the heavenly bodies, or to their supposed revolving spheres or shells.

pertaining to the heavenly bodies regarded astrologically as exerting influence on humankind and events.

OTHER WORDS FOR spherical

1 rounded.

See synonyms for spherical on Thesaurus.com

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His boss, whom he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

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Often spher·ic .

Origin of spherical

1515–25; <Late Latin sphēric(us) (see spherics¹) + -al¹

OTHER WORDS FROM spherical

spher·i·cal·i·ty, nounspher·i·cal·ly, adverbnon·spher·ic, adjectivenon·spher·i·cal, adjective

non·spher·i·cal·ly, adverbnon·spher·i·cal·i·ty, nounqua·si-spher·i·cal, adjectivequa·si-spher·i·cal·ly, adverbsub·spher·ic, adjectivesub·spher·i·cal, adjectiveun·spher·i·cal, adjective

Words nearby spherical

sphenopsid, spher-, spheral, sphere, sphere of influence, spherical, spherical aberration, spherical angle, spherical astronomy, spherical coordinate, spherical coordinates

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use spherical in a sentence

There’s all sorts of extra complexity, from mountains to atmospheres to oceans and rivers, when rocky worlds grow big enough for their own gravity to make them spherical.
The definition of planet is still a sore point – especially among Pluto fans|Lisa Grossman|August 24, 2021|Science News
In fact, the very first study to use the phrase “Brazil nut effect,” published in Physical Review Letters in 1987, was done on spherical objects, he says.
Readers weigh in on the Brazil nut effect, clock entropy and more|Science News Staff|July 25, 2021|Science News
The discovery of an ancient star SMSS J2003-1142 in the Milky Way’s halo—which is the roughly spherical region that surrounds the galaxy—is providing the first evidence for another source for heavy elements, including uranium and possibly gold.
New Type of Stellar Explosion Could Explain the Mystery of the Milky Way’s Elements|Gary Da Costa|July 8, 2021|Singularity Hub
Also called round zucchini, these spherical beauties can be used much the same as their elongated brethren.
How to use summer squash: a guide to this bountiful, versatile vegetable|Aaron Hutcherson|July 2, 2021|Washington Post

He’s convinced his spherical probe can see mountains at scales not possible from orbit.
These scientists spent decades pushing NASA to go back to Venus. Now they’re on a hot streak.|Corinne Iozzio|June 29, 2021|Popular-Science
Objects more massive than a certain amount are more spherical than not, while punier specimens are lumpy and irregular.
Saturn’s Death Star Look-Alike|Matthew R. Francis|October 19, 2014|DAILY BEAST
And, oh, occasionally, the golden snitch—a flying spherical ball—will flutter into the proceedings, creating chaos.
From J.K. Rowling’s Harry Potter Novels to Real Life: The Sport of Quidditch Takes Flight|Jace Lacob|March 14, 2012|DAILY BEAST
When it is new, and also when in its waning stages it is visible in the daytime, the spherical form is very apparent.
Outlines of the Earth's History|Nathaniel Southgate Shaler
We may note that in a few months of heavy weather the stones of such a fall have all been reduced to rudely spherical forms.
Outlines of the Earth's History|Nathaniel Southgate Shaler
These bits are commonly distinctly faceted; they rarely have a spherical form.
Outlines of the Earth's History|Nathaniel Southgate Shaler
Upon these spherical aggregations of the clouds the winds act in extremely varied ways.
Outlines of the Earth's History|Nathaniel Southgate Shaler
He was crouching, the spherical plastic object in his right hand, his thumb over the button, when the field collapsed.
Hunter Patrol|Henry Beam Piper and John J. McGuire

British Dictionary definitions for spherical

spherical

spheric

/ (ˈsfɛrɪkəl) /

adjective

shaped like a sphere

of or relating to a spherespherical geometry

geometry formed on the surface of or inside a spherea spherical triangle

of or relating to heavenly bodies
of or relating to the spheres of the Ptolemaic or the Copernican system

Derived forms of spherical

spherically, adverbsphericalness, noun

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

spherical

OTHER WORDS FOR spherical

Origin of spherical

OTHER WORDS FROM spherical

Words nearby spherical

Words related to spherical

How to use spherical in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for spherical

spheric

Derived forms of spherical