adj
Uncommon
diagonal
deye-AG-nuhl
Diagonal (adj) means Slanted; running at an angle rather than straight up-and-down or side-to-side. Example: “She drew a diagonal line across the page to cross it out.”
adj
1
Slanted; running at an angle rather than straight up-and-down or side-to-side.
"She drew a diagonal line across the page to cross it out."
"The stairs run diagonal to the main hallway."
noun
1
A line joining two non-adjacent corners of a shape, such as a square.
"The diagonal of the rectangle measured exactly ten centimeters."
How to use diagonal
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishSlanted, or a slanted line — the opposite of straight horizontal or vertical.
Common pairings
diagonal line
diagonal stripes
move diagonally
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Word forms
- Plural
- diagonals
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
She drew a _____ line across the page to cross it out.
Etymology
From Latin diagonalis, from Greek diagonios ("from angle to angle"), from dia- ("across") + gonia ("angle").
Synonyms
View more →Antonyms
Related words
Rhymes for diagonal
coronal
rational
personal
seasonal
national
optional
regional
hormonal
hexagonal
fictional
emotional
irrational
See all rhymes for diagonal →
Frequently asked questions
What does “diagonal” mean?
The word “diagonal” means slanted; running at an angle rather than straight up-and-down or side-to-side. In plain terms, slanted, or a slanted line — the opposite of straight horizontal or vertical.
How do you pronounce “diagonal”?
“Diagonal” is pronounced deye-AG-nuhl (/daɪ̯ˈæɡ(ə)nəl/ in IPA).
How do you use “diagonal” in a sentence?
Here is “diagonal” used in a sentence: “She drew a diagonal line across the page to cross it out.”
What is another word for “diagonal”?
Words with a similar meaning to “diagonal” include slash.
What is the opposite of “diagonal”?
The opposite of “diagonal” — its antonyms — is backslash.
What part of speech is “diagonal”?
Depending on how it is used, “diagonal” can be an adjective and a noun.
Where does the word “diagonal” come from?
The word “diagonal” comes from Latin. From Latin diagonalis, from Greek diagonios ("from angle to angle"), from dia- ("across") + gonia ("angle").
Is “diagonal” a common word?
“Diagonal” is an uncommon word in modern English.
