adj
Uncommon
elliptical
ih-LIHP-tihk-uhl
Elliptical (adj) means Shaped like an ellipse — a flattened, oval curve. Example: “The planet follows an elliptical orbit around its star.”
adj
1
Shaped like an ellipse — a flattened, oval curve.
"The planet follows an elliptical orbit around its star."
2
Leaving out words or details, so that the meaning has to be inferred; deliberately brief.
"His elliptical answer left us none the wiser about his plans."
"She has an elliptical writing style that skips over obvious details."
noun
1
A gym machine that lets you walk or run in a smooth oval motion without impact.
"He does twenty minutes on the elliptical before lifting weights."
How to use elliptical
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishOval-shaped, or (for speech/writing) vague and indirect because things are left unsaid.
Common pairings
elliptical orbit
elliptical statement
ride the elliptical
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Word forms
- Plural
- ellipticals
- Comparative
- more elliptical
- Superlative
- most elliptical
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The planet follows an _____ orbit around its star.
Etymology
From "ellipse" (an oval curve) plus the adjective ending "-al."
Synonyms
View more →Antonyms
Related words
Rhymes for elliptical
See all rhymes for elliptical →Frequently asked questions
What does “elliptical” mean?
The word “elliptical” means shaped like an ellipse — a flattened, oval curve. In plain terms, oval-shaped, or (for speech/writing) vague and indirect because things are left unsaid.
How do you pronounce “elliptical”?
“Elliptical” is pronounced ih-LIHP-tihk-uhl (/ɪˈlɪp.tɪ.kəl/ in IPA).
How do you use “elliptical” in a sentence?
Here is “elliptical” used in a sentence: “The planet follows an elliptical orbit around its star.”
What is another word for “elliptical”?
Words with a similar meaning to “elliptical” include elliptic.
What part of speech is “elliptical”?
Depending on how it is used, “elliptical” can be an adjective and a noun.
Is “elliptical” a common word?
“Elliptical” is an uncommon word in modern English.
How many meanings does “elliptical” have?
“Elliptical” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: shaped like an ellipse — a flattened, oval curve.
