diagonal

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

Other Words from diagonal Synonyms More Example Sentences Learn More about diagonal

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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 That screen — measuring 4.6-inches on the diagonal, but just two inches wide — is so thin that apps and words appear tiny. — Washington Post, "Samsung’s $2,000 folding screen is a peek into our flip-phone future," 2 Oct. 2019 All the floors here are the original wood, laid in a diagonal pattern. — Judy Rose, Detroit Free Press, "$739,000 Corktown loft has rooftop space with 360-degree view of Detroit," 14 Mar. 2020 Metz belted out the song from the center of the stage in a floor-length black dress with a glittering cape, accompanied by a chorus who stood on a diagonal platform behind her. — Taylor Weatherby, Billboard, "Chrissy Metz Delivers Moving Rendition of 'Breakthrough' Song 'I'm Standing With You' at 2020 Oscars," 9 Feb. 2020 From top: a graphic geometric display by Prada; vivid diagonal splashes on a knit by Kiko Kostadinov; a grungy crimson button-up at Gucci; Louis Vuitton’s sweater vest featured a broad, curved neck showing off a tonal tie underneath. — Jacob Gallagher, WSJ, "The Best—and Weirdest—Men’s Trends From the Fall Shows," 24 Jan. 2020 But remember this is diagonal measurement for an extra-tall 21:9 aspect ratio, so that 4.6-inch size is greatly inflated. — Ron Amadeo, Ars Technica, "Samsung Galaxy Fold review: The future is an ugly disappointment," 24 Jan. 2020 The steel mezzanine was custom-built for the unit that features oak flooring laid in a diagonal pattern. — SFChronicle.com, "Live/work lofts blend form, function," 17 Jan. 2020 Either get out your high school geometry book to calculate the angles based on the diagonal difference, or use a carpenter’s protractor to measure them. — James Dulley, Dallas News, "Do your own finish carpentry to lower costs," 12 Jan. 2020 Just in time for the holidays, the diagonal gift wrap hack has gone viral. — Caroline Delbert, Popular Mechanics, "The Internet Is Losing Its Mind Over This Gift-Wrapping Trick. Here's the Secret.," 17 Dec. 2019 Recent Examples on the Web: Noun This can be done by stretching a string across one diagonal and then the other. — James Dulley, Dallas News, "Do your own finish carpentry to lower costs," 12 Jan. 2020 Every subrange of d, such as a target window of 0.95 to 1.05, will be a 2-D sandwich between lines parallel to, and on either side of, the above diagonal. — Quanta Magazine, "Solution: ‘The Slippery Math of Causation’," 29 June 2018 By move 42, both of Alpha- Zero’s bishops control long open diagonals directed right at the king. — William Herkewitz, Popular Mechanics, "AI Is Now the Undisputed Champion of Computer Chess," 23 Feb. 2020 Torey Krug made the key play on Pastrnak’s goal, firing a hard, long-distance diagonal from 10-15 feet behind his own blue line into the right wing corner. — BostonGlobe.com, "Most read on BostonGlobe.com," 3 Nov. 2019 Yes, that Adolf, complete with the mini-mustache and the dark diagonal of hair. — Anthony Lane, The New Yorker, "“The Lighthouse” Is Salted with Madness," 18 Oct. 2019 If the diagonals are not equal, this generally means the corners of the opening are not 90 degrees. — James Dulley, Dallas News, "Do your own finish carpentry to lower costs," 12 Jan. 2020 Just as squares along diagonals on a chessboard have the same color, electrons positioned along 45-degree angles spin the same way. — Quanta Magazine, "Decoding the Secrets of Superconductivity," 30 Apr. 2014 The hack works like this: Instead of placing your box with its edges parallel to the edges of the wrapping paper, put it on a diagonal in the middle of the piece of wrapping paper. — Kelsey Hurwitz, Woman's Day, "This Viral Gift-Wrapping Trick Will Blow Your Mind and Save Your Holidays," 17 Dec. 2019

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.