diagonal

adjective

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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

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 Starting at one corner, with the skin side facing up, use a sharp knife to cut diagonal lines in the duck’s skin about 1⁄4 inch apart. — Jeremy Repanich, Robb Report, "David Kinch Shows You a Foolproof Way to Cook Duck Breast at Home," 7 Apr. 2021 Calhoun County Sheriff Matthew Wade said the twister cut a diagonal path across the county, striking mostly rural areas — something that likely kept the death toll from being higher. — Fox News, "Georgia town described as 'war zone' after tornado causes ‘heavy damage’," 26 Mar. 2021 Long boards installed on a diagonal from the room's walls. — Kelly Allen, House Beautiful, "How to Know Which Wood Flooring Type Is Right for You," 3 Mar. 2021 The pinstripes in the Earned Edition uniform run at a diagonal, evoking the ray lines on the Pacers' new Nike uniforms that debuted in 2017. — Scott Horner, The Indianapolis Star, "Pacers reveal newest 'Earned' jersey design," 11 Mar. 2021 Using a sharp knife, score a ½-inch border all the way around, then score the border at 1-inch increments at a diagonal. — Kate Merker, Good Housekeeping, "Onion Tart," 11 Feb. 2021 One of her recent quilts is called Butterscotch after her favorite candy and features diagonal gold stripes interspersed with colors evocative of stained glass. — Susan Moeller, BostonGlobe.com, "Quilters are weaving personal histories of the Black experience: ‘We’re a people with a lot of stories to tell’," 11 Mar. 2021 To make ears, use scissors to cut ends off giant marshmallows, on slight diagonal; coat sticky sides in pink nonpareils. — Anna Helm Baxter, Woman's Day, "Donut Bunnies," 11 Mar. 2021 Your body should form a diagonal line from hands to left foot. — Jen Murphy, WSJ, "A Workout That Zeroes In on Foot and Ankle Strength," 6 Mar. 2021 Recent Examples on the Web: Noun 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, "Art in Motion," 12 Apr. 2020 Pat dry, cut on the diagonal into 2-inch (5 cm) lengths and set aside. — Kimberly Wilson, Essence, "5 Easter Brunch Recipes You Can Make In 30 Minutes Or Less," 10 Apr. 2020 Diagonal: Long boards installed on a diagonal from the room's walls. — Hadley Keller, House Beautiful, "How to Know Which Wood Flooring Type Is Right for You," 13 Mar. 2020 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

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.