diagonal

1 of 2

adjective

di·​ag·​o·​nal dī-ˈa-gə-nᵊl 

-ˈag-nəl

1

a

: joining two vertices of a rectilinear figure that are nonadjacent or two vertices of a polyhedral figure that are not in the same face

b

: passing through two nonadjacent edges of a polyhedron

a diagonal plane

2

a

: inclined obliquely from a reference line (such as the vertical)

wood with a diagonal grain

b

: having diagonal markings or parts

a diagonal weave

diagonal

2 of 2

noun

1

: a diagonal straight line or plane

2

a(1)

: a diagonal direction

(2)

: a diagonal row, arrangement, or pattern

b

: something oriented in diagonal position

3

: slash sense 4

Phrases

on the diagonal

: in an oblique direction : diagonally

Synonyms

Adjective

• cant
• canted
• graded
• inclined
• leaning
• listing
• oblique
• pitched
• raked
• slant
• slanted
• slantwise
• sloped
• sloping
• tilted
• tilting

Noun

• cant
• grade
• gradient
• inclination
• incline
• lean
• pitch
• rake
• slant
• slope
• upgrade

Examples of diagonal in a Sentence

Adjective

The blanket is covered with diagonal stripes.

the diagonal design ran up the wall all the way from the lower left to the upper right-hand corner

Noun

a design with strong diagonals

the ramp was set at a low diagonal to make it easier for physically challenged patrons

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

But, houndstooth is a broken twill, so while there is a noticeable diagonal pattern in the weave, there are also jagged edges in the pattern. —Claire Hoppe Norgaard, Better Homes & Gardens, 17 Oct. 2024

Amid the thousands of still-standing panels, which generate enough energy to power 12,000 households, a diagonal line of metal debris can be seen stretching almost completely across one plot of the facility, leaving behind empty rows of scrap. —Mary Walrath-Holdridge, USA TODAY, 15 Oct. 2024

Noun

So, too, does the drama of his composition, which pits rows of people against the diagonals of the rocky outcroppings all around—a Giotto-esque flourish, to be sure, but one filtered through Duccio’s personal tastes. —Alex Greenberger, ARTnews.com, 11 Oct. 2024

Note how wave 4 went into wave 1 territory – this is typical of diagonals. —Beth Kindig, Forbes, 10 Oct. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Adjective

Latin diagonalis, from Greek diagōnios from angle to angle, from dia- + gōnia angle; akin to Greek gony knee — more at knee entry 1

First Known Use

Adjective

1563, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Noun

1571, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing diagonal

• diagonal matrix
• on a diagonal
• on the diagonal
• principal diagonal

Kids Definition

diagonal

1 of 2 adjective

di·​ag·​o·​nal dī-ˈag-ən-ᵊl 

-ˈag-nəl

1

: joining two opposite corners of a four-sided figure

2

: running in a slanting direction

diagonally

-ən-ᵊl-ē

-nə-lē

adverb

diagonal

2 of 2 noun

1

: a diagonal line or direction

2

: a diagonal row, arrangement, or pattern

3

: slash entry 2 sense 2