Dictionary.com
definitions
  • synonyms

spherical

[sfer-i-kuh l, sfeer-]
See more synonyms for spherical on Thesaurus.com
adjective
  1. having the form of a sphere; globular.
  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.
Show More
Often spher·ic.

Origin of spherical

1515–25; < Late Latin sphēric(us) (see spherics1) + -al1
Related formsspher·i·cal·i·ty, nounspher·i·cal·ly, adverbnon·spher·ic, adjectivenon·spher·i·cal, adjectivenon·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

Synonyms

See more synonyms for spherical on Thesaurus.com
1. rounded.
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018

Examples from the Web for spherical

Historical Examples

  • It was as if they did not exist in this spherical vehicle of the dimensions.

    Wanderer of Infinity

    Harl Vincent

  • "By spherical trigonometry, certainly," said Mendelssohn pleasantly.

  • It's an addition to our data of spherical objects that have arrived upon this earth.

  • Spherical: in the form of a sphere: a body in which all diameters are equal.

  • But how is it that they are subdued into that spherical obedience, like a crystal of wavellite?

British Dictionary definitions for spherical

spherical

spheric

adjective
  1. shaped like a sphere
  2. of or relating to a spherespherical geometry
  3. geometry formed on the surface of or inside a spherea spherical triangle
    1. of or relating to heavenly bodies
    2. of or relating to the spheres of the Ptolemaic or the Copernican system
Show More
Derived Formsspherically, 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

Word Origin and History for spherical

adj.

1520s, from sphere + -ical.

Show More
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper
spherical in Medicine

spherical

(sfîr′ĭ-kəl, sfĕr′-)
adj.
  1. Having the shape of or approximating a sphere; globular.
Show More
The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.