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

Shaped like an ellipse — a flattened, oval curve.

"The planet follows an elliptical orbit around its star."

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

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 notes

In plain EnglishOval-shaped, or (for speech/writing) vague and indirect because things are left unsaid.

Common pairings

elliptical orbit elliptical statement ride the elliptical

Word forms

more elliptical comparative, ellipticals plural, most elliptical superlative

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The planet follows an _____ orbit around its star.

Etymology

From "ellipse" (an oval curve) plus the adjective ending "-al."

Synonyms

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elliptic

Related words

oval elliptic

Rhymes for elliptical

musical comical radical medical logical lyrical typical cynical optical magical inimical biblical

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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.

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