ENGLISH
REFERENCE

asymmetry

n.
C1 Advanced US //ˌeɪˈsɪmətɹi// UK //eɪsˈɪmətɹi// asym·me·try

n. a lack of balance or equality between two sides or parts. It describes a situation where one side is different from the other.

n. the state or quality of being unequal or dissimilar in size, shape, or distribution. Often used in physics, mathematics, and social sciences to describe a lack of symmetry.


SIMPLE

The building has an interesting asymmetry in its design.

CONTEXTUAL

The team's success was due to the asymmetry in their strategy, which caught the opponents completely off guard.

COMPLEX

In physics, the violation of parity symmetry in weak nuclear interactions led to the discovery of fundamental asymmetry in the universe's fundamental forces.

Synonyms
Antonyms
Origin

From Ancient Greek ἀσυμμετρία (asummetría), from ἀσύμμετρος (asúmmetros) + -ία (-ía), from ἀ- (a-) + σύμμετρος (súmmetros); equivalent to a- + symmetry.

© 2026 English Reference