di·ag·o·nal
dī-ˈa-gə-nᵊl 
-ˈag-nəl
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
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
Synonyms
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
Joseph Cheatham, Travel + Leisure, 21 Nov. 2023
If plotted on a graph, the changing height of the ocean would look less like a smooth diagonal line than a broken staircase for giants, climbing upward in short, dramatic surges.
—Frank Hulley-Jones, Washington Post, 17 Nov. 2023
The two devised a plan that called for reverse diagonal parking and refurbishment of the area.
—Andrew J. Campa, Los Angeles Times, 8 Sep. 2023
By 2018, Wong had learned three important tricks: sowing his landscapes with small figures to provide a sense of scale; using snaky diagonal forms (rivers, roads) to separate near from far; tempering layers of warm colors with cool ones.
—Jackson Arn, The New Yorker, 4 Sep. 2023
Cut slits in pastry: Cut 5 or 6 (3-inch) diagonal slits on top of each pastry, and gently separate slits to slightly reveal filling.
—Jasmine Smith, Southern Living, 15 Nov. 2023
Her bare legs, adorned with distinctive diagonal tattoos, were splayed at unnatural angles.
—Laura King, Los Angeles Times, 30 Oct. 2023
Advertisement Making the difficult appear simple while running a diagonal route across the middle, Kincaid snatched Josh Allen’s errant pass -– a dart to his back knee — while maintaining his speed.
—Tom Krasovic, San Diego Union-Tribune, 27 Oct. 2023
The long diagonal spout provides greater reach into garden beds, and the interchangeable brass roses (the end sprinkler attachments) allow for customized water pressure from a fine mist to heavier shower.
—Ebony Roberts, wsj.com, 17 Oct. 2023
Hannah Beech, New York Times, 30 June 2023
Cannage is the distinctive quilting made up of geometrical pattern of squares and diagonals that appears on many Dior products, most notably its bags.
—Min Joo Kim, Washington Post, 23 Mar. 2023
Then there’s the fact that the driver was from out of town, and Philly’s grid of one-way streets, half-blocks, and diagonals can be tricky even for the experienced.
—Tom Avril, Anchorage Daily News, 28 Feb. 2023
At the David Zwirner gallery on the Upper East Side, two rooms have been outfitted with lights—cool white verticals in one, iris-stinging green diagonals in the other—to re-create two Flavin exhibitions from 1967, both held at Kornblee Gallery.
—Jackson Arn, The New Yorker, 28 Feb. 2023
The expansive volume under the tent, the spherical ring, the arcs of leaping gymnasts, the diagonals of tightrope were like the elements in the solar system, orbiting around one another, all bound by gravity.
—Rachel Corbett, The Atlantic, 12 Apr. 2020
Pat dry, cut on the diagonal into 2-inch (5 cm) lengths and set aside.
—Kimberly Wilson, Essence, 10 Apr. 2020
Diagonal: Long boards installed on a diagonal from the room's walls.
—Hadley Keller, House Beautiful, 13 Mar. 2020
This can be done by stretching a string across one diagonal and then the other.
—James Dulley, Dallas News, 12 Jan. 2020
See More
Adjective
With a classic look, it’s made of ultra-soft diagonal French terry and has a kangaroo pocket.
—Joseph Cheatham, Travel + Leisure, 21 Nov. 2023
If plotted on a graph, the changing height of the ocean would look less like a smooth diagonal line than a broken staircase for giants, climbing upward in short, dramatic surges.
—Frank Hulley-Jones, Washington Post, 17 Nov. 2023
The two devised a plan that called for reverse diagonal parking and refurbishment of the area.
—Andrew J. Campa, Los Angeles Times, 8 Sep. 2023
By 2018, Wong had learned three important tricks: sowing his landscapes with small figures to provide a sense of scale; using snaky diagonal forms (rivers, roads) to separate near from far; tempering layers of warm colors with cool ones.
—Jackson Arn, The New Yorker, 4 Sep. 2023
Cut slits in pastry: Cut 5 or 6 (3-inch) diagonal slits on top of each pastry, and gently separate slits to slightly reveal filling.
—Jasmine Smith, Southern Living, 15 Nov. 2023
Her bare legs, adorned with distinctive diagonal tattoos, were splayed at unnatural angles.
—Laura King, Los Angeles Times, 30 Oct. 2023
Advertisement Making the difficult appear simple while running a diagonal route across the middle, Kincaid snatched Josh Allen’s errant pass -– a dart to his back knee — while maintaining his speed.
—Tom Krasovic, San Diego Union-Tribune, 27 Oct. 2023
The long diagonal spout provides greater reach into garden beds, and the interchangeable brass roses (the end sprinkler attachments) allow for customized water pressure from a fine mist to heavier shower.
—Ebony Roberts, wsj.com, 17 Oct. 2023
Noun
For instance, a dagger-like diagonal and the solitary wing of a mythical bird were reserved for royals.
—Hannah Beech, New York Times, 30 June 2023
Cannage is the distinctive quilting made up of geometrical pattern of squares and diagonals that appears on many Dior products, most notably its bags.
—Min Joo Kim, Washington Post, 23 Mar. 2023
Then there’s the fact that the driver was from out of town, and Philly’s grid of one-way streets, half-blocks, and diagonals can be tricky even for the experienced.
—Tom Avril, Anchorage Daily News, 28 Feb. 2023
At the David Zwirner gallery on the Upper East Side, two rooms have been outfitted with lights—cool white verticals in one, iris-stinging green diagonals in the other—to re-create two Flavin exhibitions from 1967, both held at Kornblee Gallery.
—Jackson Arn, The New Yorker, 28 Feb. 2023
The expansive volume under the tent, the spherical ring, the arcs of leaping gymnasts, the diagonals of tightrope were like the elements in the solar system, orbiting around one another, all bound by gravity.
—Rachel Corbett, The Atlantic, 12 Apr. 2020
Pat dry, cut on the diagonal into 2-inch (5 cm) lengths and set aside.
—Kimberly Wilson, Essence, 10 Apr. 2020
Diagonal: Long boards installed on a diagonal from the room's walls.
—Hadley Keller, House Beautiful, 13 Mar. 2020
This can be done by stretching a string across one diagonal and then the other.
—James Dulley, Dallas News, 12 Jan. 2020
See More
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'diagonal.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Word History
Etymology
Adjective
Latin diagonalis, from Greek diagōnios from angle to angle, from dia- + gōnia angle; akin to Greek gony knee — more at knee entry 1
Phrases Containing diagonal
Dictionary Entries Near diagonal
Cite this Entry
“Diagonal.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/diagonal. Accessed 2 Dec. 2023.
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Kids Definition
diagonal
1 of 2 adjective
di·ag·o·nal
dī-ˈag-ən-ᵊl
-ˈag-nəl
1
: joining two opposite corners of a four-sided figure
2
: running in a slanting direction
diagonally
adverb
-ən-ᵊl-ē
-nə-lē
diagonal
2 of 2 noun1
: a diagonal line or direction
2
: a diagonal row, arrangement, or pattern
More from Merriam-Webster on diagonal
Nglish: Translation of diagonal for Spanish Speakers
Britannica English: Translation of diagonal for Arabic Speakers
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