Word
symmetrical
Phoneticssym·met·ri·cal, stress on the second syllable
US/səˈmɛtɹɪkəɫ/
UK/sɪmˈɛtɹɪkəl/
Definition
adj. having two halves that are exactly the same in shape and size. You use this to describe things that look balanced and even on both sides.
adj. having parts that correspond to one another in size, shape, and position. Often used to describe geometric figures, biological structures, or aesthetic compositions.
Examples
“The butterfly has beautiful symmetrical wings.”
“The architect designed a symmetrical facade for the museum, with identical columns on either side of the main entrance.”
“In classical portraiture, a perfectly symmetrical face is often used to represent ideal beauty, though slight natural imbalances can often make a subject appear more approachable and human.”
Examples
simple
“The butterfly has beautiful symmetrical wings.”
contextual
“The architect designed a symmetrical facade for the museum, with identical columns on either side of the main entrance.”
complex
“In classical portraiture, a perfectly symmetrical face is often used to represent ideal beauty, though slight natural imbalances can often make a subject appear more approachable and human.”
Usage
Typically used attributively before a noun or predicatively after a linking verb like 'be' or 'look'.
Pitfall
The building is more symmetrical than that one.
The building is more nearly symmetrical than that one.
While common in casual speech, 'symmetrical' is often treated as a non-gradable adjective in technical contexts; something is either symmetrical or it is not.
Real-World Examples
“As the pitcher lowers to 2–3 cm height, the stream narrows, allowing the white microfoam to rise through the crema and form a symmetrical teardrop shape.” “Among the study's limitations, the authors note that the two features they studied were not perfectly symmetrical and therefore may not generalize to other expert or peer designs.” Etymology
From symmetry + -ical.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Word family
NOUN
ADJECTIVE
- 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
- アルファベット
- 読み方の一覧 →
QR code
englishreference.com/q/symmetrical