Meaning & use
geometry
Last updated
Meanings
noununcountablemathematics
The area of mathematics that studies shapes, sizes, angles, and the positions of points, lines, and surfaces.
Grammar: Singular, with no plural: geometry is hard.
Patterns
- study geometry
We learned about triangles in geometry class.
Ancient builders used geometry to design temples.
She is taking algebra and geometry this year.
nouncountable or uncountable
The shape or arrangement of the parts of something.
Grammar: Often followed by of: the geometry of the room.
Patterns
- the geometry of something
The geometry of the bridge spreads the load evenly.
Snowflakes have a delicate six-sided geometry.
Architects chose a building geometry that catches the sun.
Word forms
| plural | geometries |
|---|
Common combinations
- plane geometry
- Plane geometry deals with flat shapes such as circles.
- solid geometry
- Solid geometry studies cubes and spheres.
- Euclidean geometry
- Euclidean geometry is built on a handful of simple axioms.
- the geometry of
- Engineers studied the geometry of the wing.
- coordinate geometry
- In coordinate geometry, you plot shapes on a graph.
Synonyms and how they differ
- mathematics
- Mathematics is the whole field; geometry is just the branch about shape and space.
- layout
- Layout names how parts are arranged in a practical sense, while geometry suggests precise shapes and measurements.
- configuration
- Configuration describes a particular arrangement of parts without implying mathematical measurement.
Word family
- geometric adjective
- relating to or using regular shapes
- geometrical adjective
- another form of geometric
- geometrically adverb
- in terms of shape
- geometer noun
- a mathematician who studies geometry
Commonly confused: geometry or geography?
geometry vs geography
Geography is the study of the earth's places and features; geometry is the study of shapes and measurements.
Practice
To prove that the angles of a triangle add up to 180 degrees, you would use ___.
Choose one answer.
Geometry is the branch of math about angles and shapes. Geography, geology, and genealogy sound similar but study places, rocks, and family history.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “geometry”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.