triangle
TREYE-uhng-guhl
Triangle (noun) means a flat shape with three straight sides and three angles. Example: “Draw a triangle with three equal sides on your worksheet.”
noun
1
A flat shape with three straight sides and three angles.
"Draw a triangle with three equal sides on your worksheet."
"The roof of the little hut formed a triangle against the sky."
"She folded the paper into a triangle."
2
A percussion instrument made of a metal rod bent into a triangle, played by striking it with a small metal beater.
"He tapped the triangle gently at the end of the song."
"A bright ring from the triangle signalled the start of the concert."
"The young student played the triangle in the school orchestra."
3
A romantic situation involving three people, especially two people competing for one.
"Their friendship fell apart when they got caught in a messy triangle."
"The novel's triangle left the heroine unsure which man to choose."
"The plot revolves around a classic love triangle."
How to use triangle
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA three-sided shape — or, figuratively, a situation involving three people or elements, like a love triangle.
Common pairings
equilateral triangle
love triangle
right triangle
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Word forms
- Plural
- triangles
Fill the gap
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Draw a _____ with three equal sides on your worksheet.
Etymology
From Latin triangulum, "three-cornered," from tres ("three") plus angulus ("corner, angle").
Synonyms
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Rhymes for triangle
See all rhymes for triangle →Frequently asked questions
What does “triangle” mean?
The word “triangle” means a flat shape with three straight sides and three angles. In plain terms, a three-sided shape — or, figuratively, a situation involving three people or elements, like a love triangle.
How do you pronounce “triangle”?
“Triangle” is pronounced TREYE-uhng-guhl (/ˈtɹaɪˌæŋɡəl/ in IPA).
How do you use “triangle” in a sentence?
Here is “triangle” used in a sentence: “She folded the paper into a triangle.”
What is another word for “triangle”?
Words with a similar meaning to “triangle” include △.
What part of speech is “triangle”?
“Triangle” is a noun.
Where does the word “triangle” come from?
The word “triangle” comes from Latin. From Latin triangulum, "three-cornered," from tres ("three") plus angulus ("corner, angle").
Is “triangle” a common word?
“Triangle” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B2 level.
How many meanings does “triangle” have?
“Triangle” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a flat shape with three straight sides and three angles.
What is the difference between a triangle and a pyramid?
A triangle is a flat, two-dimensional shape with three straight sides and three angles. A pyramid is a three-dimensional solid whose sloping sides rise to meet at a point, so a pyramid may have triangular faces, but a triangle itself is not a pyramid.
What are the main types of triangle?
Triangles are classified by their sides or their angles. By sides they are equilateral (all three equal), isosceles (two equal), or scalene (none equal); by angles they are acute, right-angled, or obtuse.
What is a 'love triangle'?
A love triangle is a romantic situation involving three people, typically where two of them compete for the affection of the third. The phrase is used mainly in storytelling and everyday conversation rather than in technical writing.
How is the triangle instrument played?
The musical triangle is a metal rod bent into a triangle shape and struck with a small metal beater to produce a ringing tone. It is held by a loop or cord so the metal can vibrate freely, and it is common in orchestras and percussion sections.
