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 of elliptical

Adjective

• cryptic
• ambiguous
• dark
• obscure
• enigmatic
• mystic
• mysterious

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

The Orion capsule separated from the rocket's upper stage to enter a highly elliptical orbit around Earth. —Amanda Lee Myers, USA Today, 3 Apr. 2026

Nearly 49 minutes into the test flight, the rocket’s upper stage fired to place Orion into an elliptical orbit around Earth. —Georgina Jedikovska, Interesting Engineering, 3 Apr. 2026

Noun

While ellipticals occasionally result, the most common merger outcome is another disk galaxy. —Big Think, 30 Mar. 2026

My fitness center has three rows of treadmills and ellipticals. —Jeanne Phillips, Mercury News, 17 Sep. 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