spherical
adjective
spher·i·cal
ˈsfir-i-kəl 
ˈsfer-
1
: having the form of a sphere or of one of its segments
2
: relating to or dealing with a sphere or its properties
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Something spherical is like a sphere in being round, or more or less round, in three dimensions. Apples and oranges are both spherical, for example, even though they're never perfectly round. A spheroid has a roughly spherical shape; so an asteroid, for instance, is often spheroidal—fairly round, but lumpy.
Synonyms of spherical
Examples of spherical in a Sentence
the planet Earth is not, in fact, perfectly spherical
Recent Examples on the Web
Earlier calculations, which assumed a spherical expansion, placed its age at several million years.
—
Sharmila Kuthunur, Space.com, 21 Nov. 2025
The result is a set of nearly spherical nanoparticles about 200 nm in diameter, firmly anchored to the support.
—Jijo Malayil, Interesting Engineering, 15 Nov. 2025
Later decades evolved from 16 to 35 mm, their grit and grain replaced by the smoother spherical Super Baltars of the 1970s — the lenses Gordon Willis used on The Godfather — and finally by Zeiss Super Speeds reflecting the 1980s and ’90s look.
—Scott Roxborough, HollywoodReporter, 14 Nov. 2025
Available in 25 sheer shades, the formula combines the dewiness of a hydrating serum base with light-diffusing spherical powders for a visibly even complexion with a blurred, soft-focus effect.
—Karina Hoshikawa, Refinery29, 14 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for spherical
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Sharmila Kuthunur, Space.com, 21 Nov. 2025
The result is a set of nearly spherical nanoparticles about 200 nm in diameter, firmly anchored to the support.
—Jijo Malayil, Interesting Engineering, 15 Nov. 2025
Later decades evolved from 16 to 35 mm, their grit and grain replaced by the smoother spherical Super Baltars of the 1970s — the lenses Gordon Willis used on The Godfather — and finally by Zeiss Super Speeds reflecting the 1980s and ’90s look.
—Scott Roxborough, HollywoodReporter, 14 Nov. 2025
Available in 25 sheer shades, the formula combines the dewiness of a hydrating serum base with light-diffusing spherical powders for a visibly even complexion with a blurred, soft-focus effect.
—Karina Hoshikawa, Refinery29, 14 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for spherical
Cite this Entry
“Spherical.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/spherical. Accessed 29 Nov. 2025.
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spherical
adjective
spher·i·cal
ˈsfir-i-kəl
ˈsfer-
: relating to or having the form of a sphere or part of a sphere
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