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

CHiPs was real, Kid Cop Nights is fake, and neither the two-dimensional storytelling of the former nor the hacky absurdity of the latter seem to have much in common with either of the shows referencing them. —Alan Sepinwall, Rolling Stone, 17 May 2025

Kirby transformed superheroes from two-dimensional cops with capes into layered, conflicted individuals. —Michael Callahan, Air Mail, 10 May 2025

Big cars, bigger trucks, two-dimensional women, recalcitrant men. —Kyle Chayka, New Yorker, 9 May 2025

Unlike two-dimensional video calls that miss the nuance of in-person interactions and can be mentally draining, spatial computing offers immersive, interactive spaces that better replicate face-to-face cooperation. —Hemant Madaan, Forbes.com, 6 May 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)