elliptical

1 of 2

adjective

el·​lip·​ti·​cal i-ˈlip-ti-kəl 

e-

variants or elliptic

i-ˈlip-tik 

e-

1

: of, relating to, or shaped like an ellipse

2

a

: of, relating to, or marked by ellipsis or an ellipsis

b(1)

: of, relating to, or marked by extreme economy of speech or writing

(2)

: of or relating to deliberate obscurity (as of literary or conversational style)

elliptically

i-ˈlip-ti-k(ə-)lē 

e-

adverb

elliptical

2 of 2

noun

plural ellipticals

1

: elliptical galaxy

In Hubble's scheme, galaxies are divided into ellipticals and spirals.

—Roberto G. Abraham et al.

2

: elliptical trainer

Ellipticals move in a smooth, oval motion, like riding a bike standing up, and offer great features like your beloved treadmill.

—Monique Savin

Synonyms

Adjective

• cryptic
• ambiguous
• enigmatic
• enigmatical
• dark
• mystic
• mysterious
• occult
• esoteric

Examples of elliptical in a Sentence

Adjective

The moon follows an elliptical path around the Earth.

a writer with an elliptical style

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

Objects that come from inside our solar system tend to move along a closed elliptical orbit, while interstellar objects follow a hyperbolic orbit, and move fast enough to be able to escape gravity. —Maria Azzurra Volpe, MSNBC Newsweek, 3 July 2025

That occurs because Earth's orbit around the sun is slightly elliptical. —Jamie Carter, Forbes.com, 19 June 2025

Noun

The Andromeda galaxy, for example, has many dwarf ellipticals orbiting it. —Phil Plait, Scientific American, 8 May 2025

In fact, such giant ellipticals are common in the centers of galaxy clusters. —Phil Plait, Scientific American, 8 May 2025

Word History

Etymology

Adjective

Greek elleiptikos defective, marked by ellipsis, from elleipein

First Known Use

Adjective

1656, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun

1936, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing elliptical

• elliptical galaxy
• elliptical trainer