concave

1 of 2

adjective

con·​cave kän-ˈkāv  ˈkän-ˌkāv 

1

: hollowed or rounded inward like the inside of a bowl

a concave lens

2

: arched in : curving in

—used of the side of a curve or surface on which neighboring normals to the curve or surface converge and on which lies the chord joining two neighboring points of the curve or surface

concave

2 of 2

noun

con·​cave ˈkän-ˌkāv 

: a concave line or surface

Synonyms

Adjective

• dented
• depressed
• dished
• hollow
• indented
• recessed
• sunken

Examples of concave in a Sentence

Adjective

a concave lens

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

The mass splashes out toward the periphery, forming something concave—a parabola. —Emily Watlington, ARTnews.com, 22 July 2024

To begin with, Georgian writer-director George Sikharulidze’s debut feature places us mercilessly right into the last place on earth most of us would ever want to find ourselves: the lanky, concave frame and warped, self-loathing mindset of an incipient incel. —Jessica Kiang, Variety, 3 July 2024

Noun

Okazaki planned to throw in a fairly moderate double concave through the tail, and a single concave around where my front foot would be. —Brent Rose, Outside Online, 29 Aug. 2024

On the outside is a stylish titanium shell with a concave design that comes in a choice of three finish options. —Paul Ridden, New Atlas, 10 July 2024

Word History

Etymology

Adjective and Noun

Middle English, from Latin concavus, from com- + cavus hollow — more at cave

First Known Use

Adjective

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun

1552, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing concave

• convexo-concave
• plano-concave

Kids Definition

concave

adjective

con·​cave

kän-ˈkāv,

ˈkän-ˌkāv

: hollowed or rounded inward like the inside of a bowl

concave lens

concavity

kän-ˈkav-ət-ē

noun

Medical Definition

concave

adjective

con·​cave kän-ˈkāv, ˈkän-ˌ 

: hollowed or rounded inward like the inside of a bowl