spherical

[ sfer-i-kuhl, sfeer- ]

adjective

1. having the form of a sphere; globular.

   Synonyms: rounded

2. formed in or on a sphere, as a figure.
3. of or relating to a sphere or spheres.
4. pertaining to the heavenly bodies, or to their supposed revolving spheres or shells.
5. pertaining to the heavenly bodies regarded astrologically as exerting influence on humankind and events.

spherical

/ ˈsfɛrɪkəl /

adjective

1. shaped like a sphere
2. of or relating to a sphere

   spherical geometry

3. geometry formed on the surface of or inside a sphere

   a spherical triangle

4. 1. of or relating to heavenly bodies
   2. of or relating to the spheres of the Ptolemaic or the Copernican system

Derived Forms

• ˈspherically, adverb
• ˈsphericalness, noun

Other Words From

• spheri·cali·ty noun
• spheri·cal·ly adverb
• non·spheric adjective
• non·spheri·cal adjective
• non·spheri·cal·ly adverb
• nonspher·i·cali·ty noun
• quasi-spheri·cal adjective
• quasi-spheri·cal·ly adverb
• sub·spheric adjective
• sub·spheri·cal adjective
• un·spheri·cal adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of spherical¹

1515–25; < Late Latin sphēric ( us ) ( spherics ¹ ) + -al ¹

Example Sentences

Scientists describe it as a giant spherical shell around our solar system made of icy, comet-like objects.

From Los Angeles Times

The shape of its hull - the part where the passengers were - was cylindrical rather than spherical so the effects of the pressure were not distributed evenly.

From BBC

Titan’s hull was also an unusual shape - cylindrical, rather than spherical.

From BBC

Soon after the big bang, giant spherical “halos” of dark matter would have attracted clouds of hydrogen and helium, causing them to condense into hundreds of billions of stars that would gather in galaxies.

From Science Magazine

A related study awaiting publication, she added, shows that small, spherical nanoparticles are more toxic than triangles or cubes.

From Science Daily

Related Words

• celestial