sphere
sfeer
Sphere (noun) means a perfectly round, three-dimensional shape, like a ball. Example: “Mathematics students learn how to calculate the volume of a sphere.”
noun
1
A perfectly round, three-dimensional shape, like a ball.
"Mathematics students learn how to calculate the volume of a sphere."
"The planet is roughly a sphere."
"They filled the glass sphere with tiny lights for the display."
2
A particular area of activity, interest, or influence.
"Cooking is firmly within her sphere, so she runs the kitchen at home."
"The two companies work in different spheres, so they rarely compete."
"Climate policy falls outside his usual sphere of expertise."
How to use sphere
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA round, ball-shaped object, or figuratively an area of activity or influence.
Common pairings
sphere of influence
a perfect sphere
private sphere
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Word forms
- Plural
- spheres
- Third person singular
- spheres
- Past tense
- sphered
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
Mathematics students learn how to calculate the volume of a _____.
Etymology
From Old French sphere, from Late Latin sphēra, from Ancient Greek σφαῖρα (sphaîra, "ball, globe").
Related words
Rhymes for sphere
See all rhymes for sphere →Frequently asked questions
What does “sphere” mean?
The word “sphere” means a perfectly round, three-dimensional shape, like a ball. In plain terms, a round, ball-shaped object, or figuratively an area of activity or influence.
How do you pronounce “sphere”?
“Sphere” is pronounced sfeer (/sfɪɚ/ in IPA).
How do you use “sphere” in a sentence?
Here is “sphere” used in a sentence: “The planet is roughly a sphere.”
What part of speech is “sphere”?
“Sphere” is a noun.
Where does the word “sphere” come from?
The word “sphere” comes from Ancient Greek. From Old French sphere, from Late Latin sphēra, from Ancient Greek σφαῖρα (sphaîra, "ball, globe").
Is “sphere” a common word?
“Sphere” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B1 level.
How many meanings does “sphere” have?
“Sphere” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a perfectly round, three-dimensional shape, like a ball.
What is the difference between a sphere and a circle?
A sphere is a three-dimensional round object, like a ball or a globe, with volume. A circle is a two-dimensional round shape, like a ring drawn on paper, with no thickness. A circle is flat, whereas a sphere is round in every direction.
What is the difference between a sphere and an orb?
Sphere is the precise geometric term for a perfectly round three-dimensional shape. Orb is a more general or poetic word for a spherical object, such as a ceremonial orb, and is not used as a mathematical term.
What are common collocations with sphere?
In its figurative sense, sphere appears in phrases such as "sphere of influence," "public sphere," "private sphere," and "political sphere." Each refers to a distinct area of activity, interest, or authority.
