symmetrical

American  

[si-me-tri-kuhl] / sɪˈmɛ trɪ kəl /

Also symmetric

adjective

1. characterized by or exhibiting symmetry; well-proportioned, as a body or whole; regular in form or arrangement of corresponding parts.

   Synonyms:

   congruous, regular, orderly, balanced

2. Geometry.

   1. noting two points in a plane such that the line segment joining the points is bisected by an axis.

      Points (1, 1) and (1, −1) are symmetrical with respect to the x-axis.

   2. noting a set consisting of pairs of points having this relation with respect to the same axis.

   3. noting two points in a plane such that the line segment joining the points is bisected by a point or center.

      The points (1, 1) and (−1, −1) are symmetrical with respect to (0, 0).

   4. noting a set consisting of pairs of points having this relation with respect to the same center.

3. Mathematics. Usually symmetric

   1. noting a square matrix that is equal to its transpose.

   2. noting a dyad or dyadic that is equal to its conjugate.

   3. noting a relation in which one element in relation to a second implies the second in relation to the first.

4. Botany.

   1. divisible into two similar parts by more than one plane passing through the center; actinomorphic.

   2. (of a flower) having the same number of parts in each whorl.

5. Chemistry.

   1. having a structure that exhibits a regular repeated pattern of the component parts.

   2. noting a benzene derivative in which three substitutions have occurred at alternate carbon atoms.

6. affecting corresponding parts simultaneously, as certain diseases.

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symmetrical British  

/ sɪˈmɛtrɪkəl /

adjective

1. possessing or displaying symmetry Compare asymmetric

2. maths

   1. (of two points) capable of being joined by a line that is bisected by a given point or bisected perpendicularly by a given line or plane

      the points (x, y) and (–x, –y) are symmetrical about the origin

   2. (of a configuration) having pairs of points that are symmetrical about a given point, line, or plane

      a circle is symmetrical about a diameter

   3. (of an equation or function of two or more variables) remaining unchanged in form after an interchange of two variables

      x + y = z is a symmetrical equation

3. chem (of a compound) having a molecular structure in which substituents are symmetrical about the molecule

4. botany another word for isomerous

5. Also: symmetric.  (of a disease, infection, etc) affecting both sides of the body or corresponding parts, such as both legs

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Other Word Forms

• nonsymmetrical adjective
• symmetrically adverb
• symmetricalness noun
• unsymmetrical adjective
• unsymmetrically adverb

Etymology

Origin of symmetrical

First recorded in 1745–55; symmetr(y) + -ical

Explanation

Something that is symmetrical has corresponding similar parts: in other words, one side is the same as the other. If you can draw a line down the center of something and get two similar halves, it’s symmetrical. Shapes like squares and circles are symmetrical. Unless you've had a serious injury like losing a limb, the human body is symmetrical. Some people think that faces that are more perfectly symmetrical are more beautiful than other faces. On the other hand, an eye patch tends to look kind of cool, even though it makes a face unsymmetrical.

Example Sentences

Instead of appearing in neutron heavy nuclei, the newly discovered region exists in one of the most symmetrical parts of the nuclear chart.

From Science Daily • Mar. 8, 2026

These capabilities can make a difference when surface combat between navies of similar standing is "symmetrical, with radars and missiles of roughly equivalent range".

From Barron's • Mar. 6, 2026

"I'd be compulsively applying it, taking it off, reapplying it, taking it off again - trying to get it as symmetrical and perfect as possible."

From BBC • Feb. 17, 2026

Covered in fractal patterns like “the symmetrical innards of a halved cabbage,” the giant humanoid insect reclines, “a god-sized man sleeping atop the quilt of the land.”

From The Wall Street Journal • Jan. 30, 2026

Already, both of the symmetrical Shays looked better than the original “So, Shay, which do you think is your good side?”

From "Uglies" by Scott Westerfeld