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."
"The shipping container has a capacity of about thirty cubic metres."
"How many cubic centimetres of milk does this small carton hold?"
2
Shaped like or having the properties of a cube.
"The crystal formed a cubic structure."
"The jeweller admired the cubic shape of the salt crystals under the microscope."
"Dice are cubic, so each of them has six identical square faces."
3
In mathematics, relating to an expression where the highest power of the variable is three.
"They graphed a cubic equation in algebra class."
"A cubic function can cross the horizontal axis up to three times."
"Our maths teacher explained how to solve a cubic equation step by step."
How to use cubic
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishRelating to volume measurements, cube shapes, or math equations involving x to the third power.
Common pairings
cubic meter
cubic centimeter
cubic equation
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Word forms
- Plural
- cubics
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The tank holds ten _____ meters of water.
Etymology
From Middle French cubique, built from "cube" plus "-ic."
Synonyms
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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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