diagonal

adjective di·ag·o·nal \ dī-ˈa-gə-nᵊl , -ˈag-nəl \

|Updated on: 20 Jun 2018

Definition of diagonal

1 a : 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

2 a : inclined obliquely from a reference line (such as the vertical)

wood with a diagonal grain

b : having diagonal markings or parts

a diagonal weave

See diagonal defined for English-language learners

See diagonal defined for kids

Examples of diagonal in a Sentence

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

Recent Examples of diagonal from the Web

Also standard is an 8-inch diagonal GMC Infotainment System that has Android Auto and Apple CarPlay compatibility, along with a six-speaker audio system.

— jamie lareau, Detroit Free Press, "GMC adds a tricked-out truck to its 2019 Sierra lineup," 6 June 2018
The commission recommended to the FAA a nighttime flight pattern that switches between different parallel and diagonal runways every week so that the noise is spread out between communities, House said.

— alexandra kukulka, chicagotribune.com, "Glenview to host meeting on potential impacts of O'Hare Airport changes," 5 June 2018
The singer stepped out onto the red carpet alongside her husband Brandon Blackstock and step-daughter Savannah wearing a glamorous black Siriano gown with a diagonal neckline and thigh-high slit.

— taysha murtaugh, Country Living, "People Still Aren't Over How Good Kelly Clarkson Looked Last Night at the Billboard Music Awards," 21 May 2018
More than 500 folks turned out to celebrate the opening of the Fremont Street tower, a mixed-use skyscraper with distinctive diagonal exoskeletal beams that was a decade in the planning.

— j.k. dineen, San Francisco Chronicle, "Skyscraper at 181 Fremont St. in SF offers luxury condominiums," 11 May 2018
What to do: 1. Use the grout spreader or spatula to spread golf-ball-sized lumps of grout over the whole tile surface in long, upwards, diagonal strokes.

— the editors of house beautiful, House Beautiful, "How to Grout Tile," 11 Feb. 2015
When Clarkson stepped onto the red carpet in Las Vegas on Sunday night, the singer was dressed in a black custom Christian Siriano gown with a diagonal neckline, studded, structured shoulders a high slit and a black leather belt (above, center).

— jillian ruffo, PEOPLE.com, "Kelly Clarkson's 8 Outfit Changes at the BBMAs 'Show Off Her Curves' and 'Tiny Waist,' Says Stylist," 21 May 2018
One direction of diagonal marks, either from upper right to lower left or upper left to lower right, would dominate.

— gemma tarlach, Discover Magazine, "Was Science Wrong About Being Right?," 18 May 2018
Try to form a diagonal line from your shoulders to your knees.

— jenny mccoy, SELF, "Nina Dobrev Works Her Glutes, Arms, and Core With This 1 Efficient Exercise Move," 15 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.

Origin and Etymology of diagonal

Latin diagonalis, from Greek diagōnios from angle to angle, from dia- + gōnia angle; akin to Greek gony knee — more at ¹knee

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 1563

in the meaning defined at sense 1a

See Words from the same year

diagonal Synonyms

Synonyms

cant, canted, graded, inclined, leaning, listing, oblique, pitched, raked, slant, slanted, slantwise, sloped, sloping, tilted, tilting;

Near Antonyms

horizontal, level;

plumb, up-and-down, vertical;

parallel, perpendicular;

Other Mathematics and Statistics Terms

abscissa, denominator, divisor, equilateral, exponent, hypotenuse, logarithm, oblique, radii, rhomb

diagonal

noun

Definition of diagonal

1 : a diagonal straight line or plane

2 a (1) : a diagonal direction

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

b : something oriented in diagonal position

3 : slash 4

— on the diagonal

: in an oblique direction : diagonally

See diagonal defined for English-language learners

Examples of diagonal in a Sentence

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

Recent Examples of diagonal from the Web

The mid-rise, named 24th and Camelback, diagonal from the upscale Biltmore Fashion Park, was purchased by New York Life Real Estate Investors.

— catherine reagor, azcentral, "Priciest office sale of the year: Phoenix office tower bought for $100M," 15 June 2018
Make thin, wide slices across the grain, and at a slight diagonal.

— bryn mooth, Cincinnati.com, "Cooking with gas: Up your outdoor cooking game just in time for summer," 14 June 2018
The walls are filled with propaganda posters, bold in both design — primary colors, strong diagonals — and message — lots of declarative phrases ending in exclamation points, for example.

— charles desmarais, San Francisco Chronicle, "Dressed to kill: War propaganda kimonos on view at the de Young," 11 May 2018
Among new safety and connectivity technology are seven- and 8-inch-diagonal MyLink infotainment systems designed to support Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, as well as the OnStar 4G LTE Wi-Fi hotspot.

— g. chambers williams iii, Houston Chronicle, "Chevrolet Equinox turbo-diesel joins lineup," 19 May 2018
Whether vertical, horizontal, or diagonal, a classic look gets a cheery update.

— marni elyse katz, BostonGlobe.com, "Put some pep in your spring look with multicolor stripes," 30 Mar. 2018
Some neat footwork by Luka Modric in midfield was followed up by a pinpoint diagonal ball to Marcelo's feet.

— CNN, "Real Madrid beat Bayern Munich to reach fourth Champions League final in five years," 1 May 2018
The almost immaculate pavement was cut by multiple jagged shadow-diagonals, and sometimes pierced by tall weeds.

— aaron gilbreath, Longreads, "As Innocuous as Plant No. 1," 10 Apr. 2018
There was a lack of pace, a lack of movement, to the point that for long spells its only attacking idea appeared to be long diagonals hit wide left to Leroy Sane.

— jonathan wilson, SI.com, "What Makes Jurgen Klopp's Teams Such a Threat to Pep Guardiola's?," 5 Apr. 2018

First Known Use of diagonal

1571

in the meaning defined at sense 1

See Words from the same year

NEW! Time Traveler

diagonal Synonyms

Other Mathematics and Statistics Terms

abscissa, denominator, divisor, equilateral, exponent, hypotenuse, logarithm, oblique, radii, rhomb

DIAGONAL Defined for English Language Learners

diagonal

adjective

Definition of diagonal for English Language Learners

of a straight line : joining two opposite corners of a shape (such as a square or rectangle) especially by crossing the center point of the shape
: not going straight across or up and down