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

spherically

ˈsfir-i-k(ə-)lē 

ˈsfer-

adverb

Did you know?

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

• circular
• cylindrical
• curved
• globular
• round

Examples of spherical in a Sentence

the planet Earth is not, in fact, perfectly spherical

Recent Examples on the Web

Boeing developed a plan to replace a key spherical bearing and step up inspections of the parts that hold the engines to the wings. —ABC News, 11 May 2026

Researchers also tested the device in gelatin models containing stiff spherical objects designed to mimic tumors hidden beneath tissue. —Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 9 May 2026

Ray Virgil Hatfield, a former lieutenant junior grade in the Naval Air Corps, said the spherical object glistened like aluminum and was more than 5,000 feet in the air. —Bart Jansen, USA Today, 8 May 2026

The perennial plant offers up spherical purple flowers that provide an easy-to-grow accent to any arrangement. —Sophia Beams, Better Homes & Gardens, 6 May 2026

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing spherical

• spherical aberration
• spherical angle
• spherical coordinate
• spherical geometry
• spherical polygon
• spherical triangle
• spherical trigonometry

Rhymes for spherical

• clerical
• anticlerical
• hemispherical
• chimerical
• hysterical
• numerical

Kids Definition

spherical

adjective

spher·​i·​cal ˈsfir-i-kəl 

ˈsfer-

: relating to or having the form of a sphere or part of a sphere

spherically

-k(ə-)lē 

adverb