vertex
6 synonyms for vertex, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Noun — A point where two or more lines, edges or curves meet; a corner of a shape or angle.
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 vertex
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
vertex of a parabola
vertices and edges
vertex shader
opposite vertex
Technical, standard in geometry, graph theory and computer graphics.
Etymology
From Latin vertex 'whirl, crown of the head, highest point', from vertere 'to turn'.
Full origin of vertex →Frequently asked questions
What is the plural of vertex?
Both 'vertices' and 'vertexes' are accepted, but 'vertices' is by far the more common and is standard in mathematics and computing.
What is the difference between a vertex and an edge?
A vertex is a corner point, and an edge is the line segment joining two vertices. A triangle has three vertices and three edges; a cube has eight vertices and twelve edges.
What is the difference between a vertex and a vortex?
They are unrelated despite the similar spelling. A vertex is a corner or highest point of a shape, while a vortex is a whirling mass of fluid or air, such as a whirlpool or tornado.
