square
8 synonyms and 0 antonyms for square, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Noun — A four-sided shape with equal sides and right angles.
Synonyms
Everyday swaps
Common words most readers know — safe in any writing.
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.
How to use square
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
Etymology
From Old French esquarre, ultimately from Latin ex- plus quadrus ("four-sided"); a doublet of "squad."
Full origin of square →Frequently asked questions
What does “square” mean?
The word “square” means a four-sided shape with equal sides and right angles. In plain terms, the four-sided shape, a public plaza, having right angles, being honest and fair, or — as a verb — to multiply a number by itself or make two things match up.
How do you pronounce “square”?
“Square” is pronounced skweh-uh (/skwɛɹ/ in IPA).
How do you use “square” in a sentence?
Here is “square” used in a sentence: “She drew a square on the graph paper.”
What part of speech is “square”?
Depending on how it is used, “square” can be a noun, an adjective and a verb.
Where does the word “square” come from?
The word “square” comes from Latin. From Old French esquarre, ultimately from Latin ex- plus quadrus ("four-sided"); a doublet of "squad.".
Is “square” a common word?
“Square” is a very common word in modern English, usually learned at around the A2 level.
How many meanings does “square” have?
“Square” has 7 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a four-sided shape with equal sides and right angles.
What is the difference between a square and a rectangle?
Both have four straight sides and four right angles, but a square must have all four sides equal in length, while a rectangle only needs its opposite sides to match. This makes a square a special kind of rectangle: every square is a rectangle, but most rectangles, being longer than they are wide, are not squares.
What is the difference between a square and a rhombus?
A rhombus has four equal sides, just like a square, but its corners are not right angles — it looks like a leaning or diamond shape. A square is effectively a rhombus straightened to ninety-degree corners. So a square is both a special rectangle and a special rhombus, combining equal sides with right angles.
What are the properties of a square?
A square has four equal sides and four right angles of ninety degrees. Its opposite sides are parallel, its two diagonals are equal in length and cross at right angles, and it has four lines of symmetry. These features make it one of the most regular and balanced shapes in geometry.
Does 'square' have other meanings?
Yes. Beyond the shape, a square can be an open public space in a town, the result of multiplying a number by itself (nine is the square of three), or a tool for drawing right angles. Informally it can even describe someone seen as dull or conventional. Context makes the meaning clear.