scalene

Meanings

1. 1adjectivebefore a nounmathematics

   Describing a triangle whose three sides all have different lengths.

   Grammar: Almost always used before triangle: a scalene triangle.

   Patterns

   • a scalene triangle

   The teacher drew a scalene triangle on the board with sides of three, four and six centimeters.

   In a scalene triangle, no two angles are equal.

   Most triangles you sketch freehand end up scalene.

2. 2adjectivebefore a nounmedical

   Of or relating to any of the scalene muscles on each side of the neck.

   Grammar: Used only in anatomy, before muscle: the scalene muscles.

   Patterns

   • scalene muscle

   The physiotherapist pressed on the scalene muscles to ease her neck pain.

   Tight scalene muscles can cause tingling in the arm.

   The surgeon was careful to avoid the scalene region during the operation.

Common combinations

scalene triangle

A scalene triangle has no equal sides.

scalene muscles

The scalene muscles help lift the upper ribs when we breathe.

draw a scalene triangle

Draw a scalene triangle and label each side.

scalene cone

A scalene cone has an axis that is not at right angles to its base.

Synonyms and how they differ

irregular

Irregular is a loose word for any uneven shape, while scalene exactly means all sides are unequal.

uneven

Uneven can describe many things, but scalene is a precise geometry term.

asymmetrical

Asymmetrical means lacking balance on both sides, and fits many shapes, not only triangles.

Opposites

Word family

scalenus noun

the Latin-based anatomical name for a scalene muscle

isosceles adjective

describing a triangle with two equal sides

equilateral adjective

describing a shape whose sides are all equal

Commonly confused: scalene or isosceles?

Practice

Make it your own

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

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