Finesentence mobile logo
Sign in Login / Register

Spherical: meaning, definitions and examples

🌐
Add to dictionary

spherical

[ˈsfɪrɪk(ə)l ]

Definitions

Context #1 | Adjective

shape

Having the shape of a sphere; round or ball-shaped.

Synonyms

ball-shaped, globular, round.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

arrow down
Word Description / Examples
spherical

Used in scientific or formal contexts to describe something that has the shape of a sphere. Often used in physics, geometry, or astronomy.

  • The Earth is not a perfect sphere, but it is approximately spherical.
  • The scientist described the planet's spherical structure.
round

One of the most common ways to describe circular or spherical shapes in everyday language. It is very versatile and can be used in many contexts.

  • The table had a round top.
  • She prefers round mirrors over rectangular ones.
ball-shaped

Commonly used in everyday language to describe objects that are shaped like a ball. Informal and easy to understand.

  • The ornament on the Christmas tree was ball-shaped.
  • He threw a ball-shaped piece of paper into the trashcan.
globular

Often used in literary or scientific contexts to describe something that resembles a globe or has a globular form. Less common in everyday conversation.

  • The dew formed globular drops on the leaves.
  • The substance crystallized into a globular shape.

Examples of usage

  • The Earth is not a perfect sphere, but it is close to being spherical.
  • She rolled the dough into spherical balls before baking them.
Context #2 | Adjective

mathematics

Relating to a sphere or spheres.

Synonyms

circular, orbital, spheroid.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

arrow down
Word Description / Examples
spherical

Use when describing something that has the shape of a perfect sphere.

  • The Earth is not perfectly spherical, but it is close.
  • The crystal ball was perfectly spherical and fit neatly in the palm of his hand.
circular

Best for describing shapes that are round like a circle and flat.

  • The playground had a large, circular sandbox in the middle.
  • She drew a perfect circular design for the logo.
spheroid

Applicable to describe something that is similar to a sphere but not perfectly round, often slightly elongated.

  • Many planets are more accurately described as spheroids rather than perfect spheres.
  • The sculpture resembled a spheroid, with subtle variations in its curve.
orbital

Used when referring to the path or action of an object that moves around another object, often in space.

  • The satellite remains in a stable orbital path around the Earth.
  • Scientists studied the orbital dynamics of the newly discovered planet.

Examples of usage

  • The spherical coordinates system is commonly used in physics and mathematics.
  • The artist created a painting with a spherical perspective.

Interesting Facts

Etymology

  • The word comes from the Latin 'sphaericus', which means 'ball' or 'globe'.
  • In Greek, 'sphaira' means 'sphere' and has been used since ancient times to describe round shapes.

Science

  • In astronomy, celestial bodies like planets and stars are often described as spherical due to gravity pulling matter into a round shape.
  • Water droplets form spherical shapes in microgravity because of surface tension, demonstrating this concept in everyday life.

Mathematics

  • A sphere has no edges or vertices, making it unique among three-dimensional shapes.
  • The formula for the volume of a sphere is V = 4/3πr³, where 'r' is the radius.

Art and Culture

  • Artists often use spheres in their works to symbolize unity and wholeness, with famous pieces incorporating this shape to evoke balance.
  • In architecture, domes and rounded structures showcase the use of spherical design for both aesthetic and structural reasons.

Nature

  • Many fruits, like oranges and melons, are spherical, and this shape helps with growth and stability.
  • Certain clouds, like cumulus clouds, can appear spherical, which adds to their fluffy and rounded appearance.

Translations

Change language
 

Word Frequency Rank

At #6,984 in frequency, this word belongs to advanced vocabulary. It's less common than core vocabulary but important for sophisticated expression.