symmetry
n.-
1 physical balance (n.) B2 Upper Intermediate Maththe quality of having two halves that are exactly the same size and shape.
the exact correspondence in size, form, and arrangement of parts on opposite sides of a plane, line, or point.
ExampleThe butterfly's wings were beautiful because of their perfect symmetry.
ExampleThe architect relied on bilateral symmetry to create a sense of stability and grandeur in the cathedral's facade.
UsageOften used as an uncountable noun when discussing the abstract concept.
- balance
- proportionality
- uniformity
- asymmetry
- disproportion
-
2 aesthetic harmony (n.) C1 Advanced Academica balanced and pleasing arrangement of different parts.
the harmonious and beautiful proportion of the elements of a whole.
ExampleThere is a nice symmetry between the two stories in this book.
ExampleThe poet achieves a structural symmetry by opening and closing the work with the same haunting imagery of the sea.
Teacher's tipIn academic writing, this sense often describes the balance between two ideas or arguments rather than physical objects.
From Latin symmetria, from Ancient Greek συμμετρία (summetría), from σύμμετρος (súmmetros, “symmetrical”), from σύν (sún, “with”) + μέτρον (métron, “measure”). By surface analysis, sym- + -metry.
- Nounsymmetry
- Adjectivesymmetrical