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

Example Sentences

The movie has an elegant, almost symmetrical narrative economy.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 19, 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

“But it was symmetrical to a deficit in the corporate sector, leading to Enrons and Worldcoms of the world,” he said.

From MarketWatch • Jan. 27, 2026

It is the musical equivalent of dropping a random blob of ink on a piece of paper: by folding the paper and creating a symmetrical double, a pleasing shape is suddenly formed.

From "The Story of Music" by Howard Goodall