diagonal

adjective

di·ag·o·nal | \ dī-ˈa-gə-nᵊl

, -ˈag-nəl\

Definition of diagonal

(Entry 1 of 2)

1a : joining two vertices of a rectilinear figure that are nonadjacent or two vertices of a polyhedral figure that are not in the same face

b : passing through two nonadjacent edges of a polyhedron a diagonal plane

2a : inclined obliquely from a reference line (such as the vertical) wood with a diagonal grain

b : having diagonal markings or parts a diagonal weave

diagonal

noun

Definition of diagonal (Entry 2 of 2)

1 : a diagonal straight line or plane

2a(1) : a diagonal direction

(2) : a diagonal row, arrangement, or pattern

b : something oriented in diagonal position

3 : slash sense 4

on the diagonal

: in an oblique direction : diagonally

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Examples of diagonal in a Sentence

Adjective

The blanket is covered with diagonal stripes. the diagonal design ran up the wall all the way from the lower left to the upper right-hand corner

Noun

a design with strong diagonals the ramp was set at a low diagonal to make it easier for physically challenged patrons

Recent Examples on the Web: Adjective

Peterson stressed that commuters would still be able to kiss their spouses goodbye, but can now do so in diagonal parking spaces. — Hank Beckman, chicagotribune.com, "La Grange approves final funding for Metra station enhancement project," 28 June 2018 Cut a mini pink marshmallow on a diagonal and use buttercream to attach to cupcake for ears. — Woman's Day Kitchen, Woman's Day, "Spring Animal Cupcakes," 7 Mar. 2019 Almost every one gives Mega Man an additional directional option beyond the mega-buster's usual horizontal firing, letting him hit enemies above, below, or at a diagonal. — Kyle Orland, Ars Technica, "Mega Man 11 review: Switching gears," 1 Oct. 2018 But Bob has set his apparatus to diagonal/anti-diagonal. — Chris Lee, Ars Technica, "Conservation of energy used to parallelize quantum key distribution," 17 Dec. 2018 The lattice is on a diagonal, so there are no sharp corners, and it's not broken up by other design elements. — Barbara King, House Beautiful, "Cathy Kincaid on Decorating a Traditional Dallas House," 24 Mar. 2015 The painting’s sublime feeling of complete equilibrium derives from the precision with which Leonardo arranges the elements within the diagonal quadrants. — Tom L. Freudenheim, WSJ, "A Portrait Both Sensible and Sensual," 11 Jan. 2019 In an attempt to avoid a total Michelin-man silhouette, the robe closes at the side, crossing over like a wrap dress to incorporate the flattering diagonal line. — Lilah Ramzi, Vogue, "Is This the Comfiest Robe Ever? Introducing Offhours, and Their Wearable Duvet," 19 Oct. 2018 Walk your feet out, legs straight and core engaged, in a diagonal slant. — Nicole Tsong, The Seattle Times, "For improved shoulder health, work yourself up to a pullup. Here’s how.," 15 Oct. 2018

Recent Examples on the Web: Noun

The other team must allow the ball to bounce once in the outer court diagonal to the server before hitting it back. — Bethany Ao, Philly.com, "How to play pickleball," 12 July 2018 What that meant, though, was that City’s attacks were very much focused down the left, with a series of long early diagonals hit to Leroy Sane, presumably to try to exploit the inexperience of Liverpool's young right back, Trent Alexander-Arnold. — Jonathan Wilson, SI.com, "Liverpool Outpaces, Outwits Man City in Making Champions League Statement," 4 Apr. 2018 The first is the orientation of a measuring apparatus—vertical/horizontal or diagonal/anti-diagonal. — Chris Lee, Ars Technica, "Conservation of energy used to parallelize quantum key distribution," 17 Dec. 2018 The Heathered Cashmere line features a blend of their signature long-staple cotton and Mongolian cashmere, with a unique diagonal weave and custom finish. — Lucia Tonelli, ELLE Decor, "Brooklinen’s New Cashmere Bedding Will Make You Never Want to Leave Your Bed," 8 Feb. 2019 Indeed, this collection of 11 stories, stretched on a taut diagonal between Maine and Los Angeles, nimbly kicks us sideways at every turn. — Julie Orringer, New York Times, "Short Stories That Travel the World From a Deliciously Off-Kilter Perspective," 22 June 2018 Sony is keeping the size down to 8mm diagonal, meaning there won’t be the need for a huge camera bump, though the lens in front of the sensor will of course play a big part in the camera’s ability to resolve an image. — Sam Byford, The Verge, "Sony announces world’s highest-resolution image sensor for phone cameras," 23 July 2018 One of them is a diagonal, functioning simultaneously as the principal structural support and as one element in the dynamic linear silhouette that gives the chair its title. — Eric Gibson, WSJ, "‘Donald Judd: Specific Furniture’ Review: Designs With Purpose," 23 July 2018 With Swanilda, the diagonal is a retreat (downstage right to upstage left); its charm lies in how very little her upper body does and in how that little makes magic. — Alastair Macaulay, New York Times, "New York City Ballet Is in Limbo, but in Bloom," 31 May 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'diagonal.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.