Word
spherical
Phoneticsspher·i·cal, stress on the first syllable
US/ˈsfɛɹɪkəɫ/
UK/sfˈɛɹɪkəl/
Definitions
01shaped like a ball
B2 · Upper Intermediate
adj. shaped like a sphere or a perfect ball.
adj. having the three-dimensional shape of a sphere; globular.
Español:esférico
“The artist placed a large spherical stone in the center of the garden.”
“The telescope captured images of spherical gas clouds expanding outward from the dying star at incredible speeds.”
02relating to spheres
C1 · Advanced Mathematics Technical
adj. relating to spheres or the geometry of round objects.
adj. of, relating to, or involving spheres or their mathematical properties.
Español:esférico
“We studied spherical geometry to understand how to map the Earth's surface.”
“Calculations in spherical trigonometry are essential for long-distance navigation and determining the positions of celestial bodies.”
03coordinate system
C2 · Proficiency Mathematics Technical
adj. a way to find a point in space using a distance and two angles.
adj. relating to a three-dimensional coordinate system where a position is defined by its distance from an origin and two angular coordinates.
“The physicist used spherical coordinates to solve the gravity problem.”
“Converting the data into spherical coordinates allowed the researchers to model the acoustic reflections within the dome more accurately.”
Usage
Usually modifies 'coordinates' or 'system'.
04astronomy of the past
C2 · Proficiency Science Archaic · Literary
adj. relating to the old idea that stars and planets were fixed in giant invisible balls around the Earth.
adj. relating to the celestial orbs or the concentric shells in which heavenly bodies were thought to be set in ancient astronomy.
“Ancient scholars believed in the music of the spherical heavens.”
“The poet drew heavily upon the medieval concept of spherical harmony to describe the order of the universe.”
Synonyms
Real-World Examples
“Until now, this organic material had been studied in the form of spherical nanoparticles.” “There is a section selling packaged food and snacks, such as matcha-flavoured KitKats and bubble milk tea mochi (spherical Japanese desserts with a chewy outer layer), and a whole wall of plush toys.” “The team tested the idea in 2014 with spherical particles, and the results suggested small grains could act as a weak cement between larger boulders.” Etymology
English spheric [from Latin sphaericus, from Ancient Greek σφαιρικός (sphairikós)] + -al.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Word family
NOUN
ADJECTIVE
Domains
- 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.B2 FirstIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.5.5–6.5TOEFL 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: 4.0–4.572–94TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.785–944
- Frequency
- Frequent
- Level
- B2 · Upper Intermediate
- Updated
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QR code
englishreference.com/q/spherical
Traducciones: Kaikki.org (Wiktionary), CC BY-SA 4.0