Word
concentric
Phoneticscon·cen·tric, stress on the second syllable
US/kənˈsɛntɹɪk/
UK/kənsˈɛntɹɪk/
Definition
adj. having circles or shapes that share the same center. You see this in things like rings on a tree or the layers of an onion.
adj. having circles or shapes that share a common center. Often describes geometric patterns or the structural layers of an object.
Examples
“The tree has concentric rings showing its age.”
“The architect designed the building with concentric circles to create a sense of movement and depth.”
“The geologist noted that the rock formation displayed concentric layers, suggesting a history of gradual sedimentation rather than a single violent event.”
Examples
simple
“The tree has concentric rings showing its age.”
contextual
“The architect designed the building with concentric circles to create a sense of movement and depth.”
complex
“The geologist noted that the rock formation displayed concentric layers, suggesting a history of gradual sedimentation rather than a single violent event.”
Collocations
Common phrases and expressions where native English speakers use the word “concentric” in context.
Verb
01. draw concentric shapes
“The architect used a compass to draw concentric shapes for the new stadium's floor plan.”
verb + noun
02. form concentric circles
“The protesters began to form concentric circles around the monument.”
verb + noun
Adjective
03. concentric circles
“The ripples spread across the pond in a series of perfect concentric circles.”
adj + noun
04. concentric layers
“The onion is composed of several concentric layers that can be peeled away one by one.”
adj + noun
05. concentric rings
“You can determine the age of a tree by counting the concentric rings in its trunk.”
adj + noun
06. perfectly concentric
“The target was designed with perfectly concentric layers to help the archers aim.”
adv + adj
Preposition
07. in concentric patterns
“The ancient stone structures were arranged in concentric patterns across the valley.”
prep + noun
08. concentric circle scientific
09. concentric theoretical
10. concentric traditional
11. concentric underlying
Real-World Examples
“In 1810, surveyors latched on to the circle and founded a city, named Circleville, in concentric arcs around it.” “A series of concentric terraces steps down toward the interior, separated by cliffs 100 to 150 meters high.” “In 2006 Smith's group, working with Pendry, unveiled the first microwave invisibility shield: a set of 10 concentric, cylindrical rings of meta-atoms, which could more or less hide an object inside from microwaves.” “The lens’ concentric arrangement and ‘bending’ of light created a combined light intensity much greater than the light source itself.” Etymology
From Middle English concentrik, from Middle French concentrique, from Medieval Latin concentricus, from Latin con- (“with, together”) + centrum (“circle, center”). Equivalent to con- + -centric. By surface analysis, con- + centre + -ic.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.C1 AdvancedIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.7.0–8.0TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 5.0–5.595–113TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.945–990
- Frequency
- Occasional
- Level
- C1 · Advanced
- Updated
- アルファベット
- 読み方の一覧 →
QR code
englishreference.com/q/concentric