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adj Common

cubic

KYOO-bihk

Cubic (adj) means used with units of length to describe a measure of volume (e.g. cubic meter). Example: “The tank holds ten cubic meters of water.”

adj
1
Used with units of length to describe a measure of volume (e.g. cubic meter).
"The tank holds ten cubic meters of water."
2
Shaped like or having the properties of a cube.
"The crystal formed a cubic structure."
3
In mathematics, relating to an expression where the highest power of the variable is three.
"They graphed a cubic equation in algebra class."

How to use cubic

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishRelating to volume measurements, cube shapes, or math equations involving x to the third power.

Common pairings
cubic meter cubic centimeter cubic equation

Word forms

cubics plural

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Test yourself on “cubic” A quick quiz — meaning, synonyms & usage

Fill the gap

Can you complete this real example?

The tank holds ten _____ meters of water.

Etymology

From Middle French cubique, built from "cube" plus "-ic."

Origin: Middle French

Related words

Rhymes for cubic

See all rhymes for cubic →

Frequently asked questions

What does “cubic” mean?

The word “cubic” means used with units of length to describe a measure of volume (e.g. cubic meter). In plain terms, relating to volume measurements, cube shapes, or math equations involving x to the third power.

How do you pronounce “cubic”?

“Cubic” is pronounced KYOO-bihk (/ˈkju.bɪk/ in IPA).

How do you use “cubic” in a sentence?

Here is “cubic” used in a sentence: “The tank holds ten cubic meters of water.”

What part of speech is “cubic”?

“Cubic” is an adjective.

Where does the word “cubic” come from?

The word “cubic” comes from Middle French. From Middle French cubique, built from "cube" plus "-ic.".

Is “cubic” a common word?

“Cubic” is a fairly common word in modern English.

How many meanings does “cubic” have?

“Cubic” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: used with units of length to describe a measure of volume (e.g. cubic meter).

What is the difference between cubic and square?

Cubic units measure volume, such as a cubic meter, while square units measure area, such as a square meter. Cubic reflects three dimensions of measurement, whereas square reflects only two.

What does 'cubic' mean in mathematics?

In mathematics, cubic describes an expression or equation in which the highest power of the variable is three, such as x cubed. This is different from its everyday use describing volume or cube-like shape.

When is cubic used to describe shape rather than volume?

Cubic can describe something shaped like or having the properties of a cube, independent of any specific measurement. This sense is used when describing the form of an object rather than calculating its volume.

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