symmetrical

adjective

sym·​met·​ri·​cal sə-ˈme-tri-kəl How to pronounce symmetrical (audio)
variants or symmetric
1
: having, involving, or exhibiting symmetry
2
: having corresponding points whose connecting lines are bisected by a given point or perpendicularly bisected by a given line or plane
symmetrical curves
3
symmetric : being such that the terms or variables may be interchanged without altering the value, character, or truth
symmetric equations
R is a symmetric relation if aRb implies bRa
4
a
: capable of division by a longitudinal plane into similar halves
symmetrical plant parts
b
: having the same number of members in each whorl of floral leaves
symmetrical flowers
5
: affecting corresponding parts simultaneously and similarly
symmetrical rash
6
: exhibiting symmetry in a structural formula
especially : being a derivative with groups substituted symmetrically in the molecule
symmetrically adverb
symmetricalness noun

Examples of symmetrical in a Sentence

The human body is symmetrical.
Recent Examples on the Web The two become an unlikely pair, their plights strangely symmetrical. Maya Binyam, The New Yorker, 11 Mar. 2024 One photo, which shows symmetrical white marks around the deer’s nose and mouth, gives the impression of protruding teeth that resemble the tusks of a Chinese water deer. Dac Collins, Outdoor Life, 7 Mar. 2024 Although walking is a symmetrical activity, pay attention on your next walk to ensure balance in your gait and work to correct any sided dominance. Dana Santas, CNN, 28 Jan. 2024 This draws the eye away to the middle of your shower and creates a symmetrical look. Andrea Wurzburger, Better Homes & Gardens, 5 Mar. 2024 That the various elements are symmetrical around the vertical is the final subtle touch, This is where Honor has pulled off the best twist possible… the Magic6 Pro looks genuinely fresh and exciting at the rear. Ewan Spence, Forbes, 28 Feb. 2024 Rather, they are immediately transported into a space right out of a Wes Anderson movie, thanks to the pastel hues, whimsical furniture and a series of arches and archways, which are meant to mimic the filmmaker’s signature symmetrical one-point perspectives. David Tran, CNN, 17 Feb. 2024 The homes of black widow spiders reflect their practical nature; black widows spin irregular, mesh-like webs, not the artistic, symmetrical ones associated with orb-weavers. Jake Parks, Discover Magazine, 13 Feb. 2024 The Monster in the Moonlight The monster was a theoretical prediction of group theory, an area of geometry that deals with the symmetrical properties of objects. Manon Bischoff, Scientific American, 5 Feb. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'symmetrical.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1653, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of symmetrical was in 1653

Dictionary Entries Near symmetrical

Cite this Entry

“Symmetrical.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/symmetrical. Accessed 29 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

symmetrical

adjective
sym·​met·​ri·​cal sə-ˈme-tri-kəl How to pronounce symmetrical (audio)
variants or symmetric
: having, involving, or showing symmetry
symmetrically adverb

Medical Definition

symmetrical

adjective
sym·​met·​ri·​cal sə-ˈme-tri-kəl How to pronounce symmetrical (audio)
variants or symmetric
: having, involving, or exhibiting symmetry: as
a
: affecting corresponding parts simultaneously and similarly
a symmetrical rash
b
: exhibiting symmetry in a structural formula
especially : being a derivative with groups substituted symmetrically in the molecule
symmetrically adverb

More from Merriam-Webster on symmetrical

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