spherical

Often spher·ic

[sfer-i-kuhl, sfeer-]

adjective

1. having the form of a sphere; globular.

   Synonyms: rounded

2. formed in or on a sphere, as a figure.

3. of or relating to a sphere or spheres.

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

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

spherical

/ ˈsfɛrɪkəl /

adjective

1. shaped like a sphere

2. of or relating to a sphere

   spherical geometry

3. geometry formed on the surface of or inside a sphere

   a spherical triangle

4. 1. of or relating to heavenly bodies

   2. of or relating to the spheres of the Ptolemaic or the Copernican system

Other Word Forms

• sphericality noun
• spherically adverb
• nonspheric adjective
• nonspherical adjective
• nonspherically adverb
• nonsphericality noun
• quasi-spherical adjective
• quasi-spherically adverb
• subspheric adjective
• subspherical adjective
• unspherical adjective
• sphericalness noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of spherical¹

1515–25; < Late Latin sphēric ( us ) ( spherics ¹ ) + -al ¹

Example Sentences

Throughout its life, a star keeps a stable spherical shape because gravity pulls inward while pressure from nuclear fusion pushes outward.

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When ADSCs are cultivated into three-dimensional spherical groups called spheroids, their ability to promote tissue repair increases.

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Globular clusters are tightly packed, spherical collections of hundreds of thousands to millions of stars found in nearly every galaxy, including our own Milky Way.

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Unlike most nuclei, which are close to spherical, radium's nucleus has an asymmetric, pear-like shape.

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Azoff called James Dolan a “misunderstood genius” who had a vision for a spherical arena with an immersive sound system that didn’t exist before the Vegas Sphere opened in September 2023.

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Related Words

• rounded