VocabularyBasePractice words

Meaning & use

multidimensional

adjective·Academic

Last updated

UK/ˌmʌltɪdaɪˈmenʃənl/
US/ˌmʌltɪdaɪˈmenʃənl/

Meanings

  1. adjectivenot comparable

    Having many different aspects, features, or layers; not simple or one-sided.

    Grammar: Used before a noun or after a linking verb: a multidimensional problem; the issue is multidimensional.

    Patterns

    • multidimensional problem
    • multidimensional approach
    • multidimensional character

    Poverty is a multidimensional problem that involves income, education, and health.

    The novel's main character is complex and multidimensional.

    They took a multidimensional approach to the crisis, addressing both economic and social factors.

  2. adjectivenot comparabletechnicalmathematics

    In mathematics and physics, having more than three dimensions (length, width, height).

    Grammar: Used before a noun: multidimensional space, multidimensional array.

    Patterns

    • multidimensional space
    • multidimensional array
    • multidimensional geometry

    The theory describes a multidimensional universe with hidden dimensions.

    In computing, a multidimensional array stores data in more than one dimension.

    Mathematicians study multidimensional shapes that are hard to visualize.

Common combinations

multidimensional approach
The team used a multidimensional approach to solve the issue.
multidimensional problem
Climate change is a multidimensional problem.
multidimensional character
The actress played a multidimensional character with depth and flaws.
multidimensional space
Physicists explore multidimensional space in string theory.

Synonyms and how they differ

complex
More general; it means not simple, but does not emphasize having many separate aspects.
many-sided
Similar but less formal; often used for problems or characters.

Opposites

one-dimensionalsimple

Word family

dimension noun
A measurement in space, or an aspect of a situation.
dimensional adjective
Relating to dimensions, often used in combinations like three-dimensional.
multidimensionality noun
The quality of having many dimensions or aspects.

Commonly confused: multidimensional or multilateral?

multidimensional vs multilateral

Multilateral means involving several countries or groups, not several dimensions or aspects.

Practice

Which sentence uses 'multidimensional' correctly?

Make it your own

Write a sentence using “multidimensional”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.

Your sentence stays on this page and is not sent anywhere.

Explore more words