symmetrical

adjective

sym·​met·​ri·​cal sə-ˈme-tri-kəl 

variants or symmetric

sə-ˈme-trik 

1

: having, involving, or exhibiting symmetry

2

: having corresponding points whose connecting lines are bisected by a given point or perpendicularly bisected by a given line or plane

symmetrical curves

3

symmetric : being such that the terms or variables may be interchanged without altering the value, character, or truth

symmetric equations

R is a symmetric relation if aRb implies bRa

4

a

: capable of division by a longitudinal plane into similar halves

symmetrical plant parts

b

: having the same number of members in each whorl of floral leaves

symmetrical flowers

5

: affecting corresponding parts simultaneously and similarly

symmetrical rash

6

: exhibiting symmetry in a structural formula

especially : being a derivative with groups substituted symmetrically in the molecule

symmetrically

sə-ˈme-tri-k(ə-)lē 

adverb

symmetricalness

sə-ˈme-tri-kəl-nəs 

noun

Examples of symmetrical in a Sentence

The human body is symmetrical.

Recent Examples on the Web

Alternatively, maybe your vision includes a perfectly symmetrical table with identical seating. —Virgie Tovar, Forbes, 23 Nov. 2024

Two identical charts below: Converging trendlines... otherwise known as a symmetrical triangle chart pattern, depict the standoff of the past 8 months. —Carter Braxton Worth, CNBC, 25 Oct. 2024

The manual-wind movement incorporates the watchmaker’s trademark large 15 mm balance wheel that hides a secret poising method that allows for symmetrical oscillations without the use of peripheral weights. —Carol Besler, Robb Report, 23 Oct. 2024

By Audrey Lee This forebear was uniform and symmetrical, regulated by harmony, ratios, and scale. —Katherine McLaughlin, Architectural Digest, 24 Oct. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1653, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

symmetrical

adjective

sym·​met·​ri·​cal sə-ˈme-tri-kəl 

variants or symmetric

-trik 

: having, involving, or showing symmetry

symmetrically

-tri-k(ə-)lē 

adverb

Medical Definition

symmetrical

adjective

sym·​met·​ri·​cal sə-ˈme-tri-kəl 

variants or symmetric

-trik 

: having, involving, or exhibiting symmetry: as

a

: affecting corresponding parts simultaneously and similarly

a symmetrical rash

b

: exhibiting symmetry in a structural formula

especially : being a derivative with groups substituted symmetrically in the molecule

symmetrically

-tri-k(ə-)lē 

adverb