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
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
Mallory Creveling, Health, 22 Oct. 2025
The dress that put him on the fashion map was the white silk evening gown with a diagonal cutaway across the torso and a slit up to the hip bone, from Vaccarello’s eponymous label, that his dear friend the model Anja Rubik wore to the Met Gala in 2012.
—Rob Haskell, Vogue, 20 Oct. 2025
Jim Higgins, jsonline.com, 17 Oct. 2025
Cherki and Phil Foden, the two technical creators in the squad, have bonded by becoming the go-to partner for each other in warm-ups, trying to outdo one another with their juggling and long diagonals to test each other’s touch.
—Jordan Campbell, New York Times, 27 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for diagonal
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Adjective
Continue alternating hip twists and diagonal knee pulls.
—Mallory Creveling, Health, 22 Oct. 2025
The dress that put him on the fashion map was the white silk evening gown with a diagonal cutaway across the torso and a slit up to the hip bone, from Vaccarello’s eponymous label, that his dear friend the model Anja Rubik wore to the Met Gala in 2012.
—Rob Haskell, Vogue, 20 Oct. 2025
Noun
On your mental map of Wisconsin, draw a diagonal from the southwestern corner of the state through Green Bay.
—Jim Higgins, jsonline.com, 17 Oct. 2025
Cherki and Phil Foden, the two technical creators in the squad, have bonded by becoming the go-to partner for each other in warm-ups, trying to outdo one another with their juggling and long diagonals to test each other’s touch.
—Jordan Campbell, New York Times, 27 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for diagonal
Cite this Entry
“Diagonal.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/diagonal. Accessed 31 Oct. 2025.
Copy CitationKids 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
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share