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

For ordinary two-dimensional surfaces, V − E + F = 2 - 2 × L, where L is the number of holes in the surface. — Manon Bischoff, Scientific American, 8 Sep. 2026

Vertical stacking cuts heat The approach is based on Huawei’s LogicFolding architecture, which stacks active chip layers vertically instead of placing all the circuitry across a conventional two-dimensional layout. — Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 7 Sep. 2026

How world maps compare Maps project a three-dimensional sphere onto a two-dimensional flat space. — Jewel Bright, NPR, 4 Sep. 2026

Weather forecasters collapse a hugely complex atmosphere into a two-dimensional map, knowing that two skilled people will draw different predictions from the same input. — Aleeza Gerstein, The Conversation, 28 Aug. 2026

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)