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
1
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 notesIn 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
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Word forms
- Plural
- rectangles
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").
Rhymes for rectangle
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.
