noun Uncommon

rectangle

REHK-tanggl

Rectangle (noun) means a four-sided shape with four right angles, where opposite sides are equal and parallel. Example: “The garden was laid out as a neat rectangle.”

noun

A four-sided shape with four right angles, where opposite sides are equal and parallel.

"The garden was laid out as a neat rectangle."

"Fold the paper into a rectangle before cutting."

How to use rectangle

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishA four-sided shape with right angles, like a standard door or sheet of paper.

Common mistake

A square is a special rectangle with all four sides equal — not every rectangle is a square.

Easily confused with

square →

Word forms

rectangles plural

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Fill the gap

Can you complete this real example?

The garden was laid out as a neat _____.

Etymology

From Medieval Latin rectangulum, from Latin rectus ("right, straight") plus angulus ("angle").

Origin: Medieval Latin

Rhymes for rectangle

angle tangle mangle bangle dangle jangle wrangle triangle untangle strangle

See all rhymes for rectangle →

Frequently asked questions

What does “rectangle” mean?

The word “rectangle” means a four-sided shape with four right angles, where opposite sides are equal and parallel. In plain terms, a four-sided shape with right angles, like a standard door or sheet of paper.

How do you pronounce “rectangle”?

“Rectangle” is pronounced REHK-tanggl (/ˈrɛktæŋɡl̩/ in IPA).

How do you use “rectangle” in a sentence?

Here is “rectangle” used in a sentence: “The garden was laid out as a neat rectangle.”

What part of speech is “rectangle”?

“Rectangle” is a noun.

Where does the word “rectangle” come from?

The word “rectangle” comes from Medieval Latin. From Medieval Latin rectangulum, from Latin rectus ("right, straight") plus angulus ("angle").

Is “rectangle” a common word?

“Rectangle” is an uncommon word in modern English.