symmetrical

1 of 2

adjective

sym·​met·​ri·​cal sə-ˈme-tri-kəl 

variants or symmetric

sə-ˈme-trik 

1

: having, involving, or exhibiting symmetry

2

: having corresponding points whose connecting lines are bisected by a given point or perpendicularly bisected by a given line or plane

symmetrical curves

3

symmetric : being such that the terms or variables may be interchanged without altering the value, character, or truth

symmetric equations

R is a symmetric relation if aRb implies bRa

4

a

: capable of division by a longitudinal plane into similar halves

symmetrical plant parts

b

: having the same number of members in each whorl of floral leaves

symmetrical flowers

5

: affecting corresponding parts simultaneously and similarly

symmetrical rash

6

: exhibiting symmetry in a structural formula

especially : being a derivative with groups substituted symmetrically in the molecule

symmetrically

sə-ˈme-tri-k(ə-)lē 

adverb

symmetricalness

sə-ˈme-tri-kəl-nəs 

noun

symmetricalness

2 of 2

noun

sym·​met·​ri·​cal·​ness

plural -es

: the quality or state of being symmetrical : symmetry

Examples of symmetrical in a Sentence

Adjective

The human body is symmetrical.

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

Using geometric methods, Theaetetus, a mathematician and a contemporary of Plato, succeeded in proving that there are no more than five of these highly symmetrical bodies. — Manon Bischoff, Scientific American, 8 Sep. 2026

Fujitsu said that their symmetrical structure makes SnV centers less susceptible to external noise than conventional NV centers. — Georgina Jedikovska, Interesting Engineering, 8 Sep. 2026

The ratio is starting to bounce off that 34% symmetrical pullback against suggesting that memory and hardware may be ready to once again step into a leadership role. — Todd Gordon, CNBC, 8 Sep. 2026

How the gravitational field that the various spacecraft experienced changed over time differs substantially from what would be expected were Mars's interior perfectly spherically symmetrical. — Keith Cooper, Space.com, 31 Aug. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

Adjective

1653, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for symmetrical

• obstetrical
• asymmetrical
• diametrical
• geometrical
• unsymmetrical
• metrical
• trigonometrical

Kids Definition

symmetrical

adjective

sym·​met·​ri·​cal sə-ˈme-tri-kəl 

variants or symmetric

-trik 

: having, involving, or showing symmetry

symmetrically

-tri-k(ə-)lē 

adverb

Medical Definition

symmetrical

adjective

sym·​met·​ri·​cal sə-ˈme-tri-kəl 

variants or symmetric

-trik 

: having, involving, or exhibiting symmetry: as

a

: affecting corresponding parts simultaneously and similarly

a symmetrical rash

b

: exhibiting symmetry in a structural formula

especially : being a derivative with groups substituted symmetrically in the molecule

symmetrically

-tri-k(ə-)lē 

adverb