Word
convex
Phoneticscon·vex
US/ˈkɑnˌvɛks/
UK/kɒnvˈɛks/
Definition
adj. curved outward like the surface of a ball or the back of a spoon. You use this to describe shapes that bulge toward you.
adj. having a surface that curves outward rather than inward. Often contrasted with 'concave' in geometry and optics.
Examples
“The back of a spoon has a convex shape.”
“Security mirrors in shops are usually convex to provide a wider field of vision for the staff.”
“The architect designed the building with a massive convex glass wall that reflects the surrounding skyline in a distorted, panoramic arc.”
Examples
simple
“The back of a spoon has a convex shape.”
contextual
“Security mirrors in shops are usually convex to provide a wider field of vision for the staff.”
complex
“The architect designed the building with a massive convex glass wall that reflects the surrounding skyline in a distorted, panoramic arc.”
Usage
Typically used to describe physical surfaces, lenses, or mathematical curves.
Pitfall
a convex mirror curves inward
a convex mirror curves outward
Learners frequently confuse 'convex' (curving out) with 'concave' (curving in like a cave).
Etymology
Borrowed from Middle French convexe, from Latin convexus (“arched”).
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Domains
Scan code
englishreference.com/q/convex