two-dimensional

adjective

two-di·​men·​sion·​al ˈtü-də-ˈmen(t)-sh(ə-)nəl 

 also  -dī-

1

: of, relating to, or having two dimensions

The most symmetric of the two-dimensional objects is the circle, because you can rotate it any amount and reflect it over any axis through its center, and it remains exactly the same …

—Tamara M. Davis

… consider a piece of paper, a two-dimensional object. Crumple the paper up. The more tightly it's compressed, the more chaotic are its folds, and the closer the two-dimensional surface moves to becoming a three-dimensional solid.

—John Briggs and F. David Peat

2

: lacking the illusion of depth : not three-dimensional

His violent, nakedly two-dimensional art can be difficult to capture in photographs, depending as it does in great measure on knotty textures and eccentric color schemes for effect.

—Publishers Weekly

3

: lacking depth of characterization

two-dimensional characters

two-dimensionality

ˈtü-də-ˌmen(t)-shə-ˈna-lə-tē 

 also  -dī-

noun

plural two-dimensionalities

two-dimensionally adverb

This guide … covers thoroughly and in-depth the process of representing the human form two-dimensionally on paper.

—Heather Halliday

Examples of two-dimensional in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Related: The search for alien life Unlike traditional two-dimensional microscopes, ELVIS allows researchers to observe the intricate structure and behavior of living cells in a volumetric format. —John Loeffler, Space.com, 22 Apr. 2025

This correspondence is often compared to the way a hologram can make two-dimensional structures appear to be three-dimensional. —Lyndie Chiou, Wired News, 20 Apr. 2025

While past years have presented a variety of photographs, paintings and other two-dimensional works, the 2025 showcase will feature mostly site-specific installations. —Patrick Connolly, The Orlando Sentinel, 18 Apr. 2025

The multiplicity-one conjecture concerns closed two-dimensional surfaces, like spheres or doughnuts, that live in three-dimensional space. —Quanta Magazine, 31 Mar. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1863, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for two-dimensional

• interventional
• nonconventional
• nondimensional
• unconventional
• unintentional
• attentional
• conventional
• dimensional
• extensional
• intensional
• intentional
• multidimensional

Kids Definition

two-dimensional

adjective

: of, relating to, or having two dimensions (as length and width)