elliptical
6 synonyms and 2 antonyms for elliptical, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Adj — Shaped like an ellipse — a flattened, oval curve.
Synonyms
Less common
Still standard English, but they carry more weight.
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
Synonyms by Meaning
1. adj
Shaped like an ellipse — a flattened, oval curve.
“The planet follows an elliptical orbit around its star.”
2. adj
Leaving out words or details, so that the meaning has to be inferred; deliberately brief.
“His elliptical answer left us none the wiser about his plans.”
Opposites
How to use elliptical
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
elliptical orbit
elliptical statement
ride the elliptical
Etymology
From "ellipse" (an oval curve) plus the adjective ending "-al."
Full origin of elliptical →Frequently asked questions
What does “elliptical” mean?
The word “elliptical” means shaped like an ellipse — a flattened, oval curve. In plain terms, oval-shaped, or (for speech/writing) vague and indirect because things are left unsaid.
How do you pronounce “elliptical”?
“Elliptical” is pronounced ih-LIHP-tihk-uhl (/ɪˈlɪp.tɪ.kəl/ in IPA).
How do you use “elliptical” in a sentence?
Here is “elliptical” used in a sentence: “The planet follows an elliptical orbit around its star.”
What is another word for “elliptical”?
Words with a similar meaning to “elliptical” include elliptic.
What part of speech is “elliptical”?
Depending on how it is used, “elliptical” can be an adjective and a noun.
Is “elliptical” a common word?
“Elliptical” is an uncommon word in modern English.
How many meanings does “elliptical” have?
“Elliptical” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: shaped like an ellipse — a flattened, oval curve.
