dorsal
1 synonyms and 1 antonyms for dorsal, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Adj — Located on or relating to the upper or back side of an animal, fish, or body part — the side where the backbone runs.
Synonyms
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
Antonyms
How to use dorsal
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
Etymology
From Late Middle English dorsal, borrowed from Medieval Latin dorsalis ("of the back"), from dorsum ("the back").
Full origin of dorsal →Frequently asked questions
What does “dorsal” mean?
The word “dorsal” means located on or relating to the upper or back side of an animal, fish, or body part — the side where the backbone runs. In plain terms, describes the back or upper surface of something, especially in anatomy — as opposed to the front (ventral) side.
How do you pronounce “dorsal”?
“Dorsal” is pronounced DAW-suhl (/ˈdɔɹ.səl/ in IPA).
How do you use “dorsal” in a sentence?
Here is “dorsal” used in a sentence: “A shark is easy to spot by its triangular dorsal fin.”
What is the opposite of “dorsal”?
The opposite of “dorsal” — its antonyms — is ventral.
What part of speech is “dorsal”?
“Dorsal” is an adjective.
Where does the word “dorsal” come from?
The word “dorsal” comes from Medieval Latin. From Late Middle English dorsal, borrowed from Medieval Latin dorsalis ("of the back"), from dorsum ("the back").
Is “dorsal” a common word?
“Dorsal” is an uncommon word in modern English.