elliptical

1 of 2

adjective

el·​lip·​ti·​cal i-ˈlip-ti-kəl 

e-

variants or elliptic

i-ˈlip-tik 

e-

1

: of, relating to, or shaped like an ellipse

2

a

: of, relating to, or marked by ellipsis or an ellipsis

b(1)

: of, relating to, or marked by extreme economy of speech or writing

(2)

: of or relating to deliberate obscurity (as of literary or conversational style)

elliptically

i-ˈlip-ti-k(ə-)lē 

e-

adverb

elliptical

2 of 2

noun

plural ellipticals

1

: elliptical galaxy

In Hubble's scheme, galaxies are divided into ellipticals and spirals.

—Roberto G. Abraham et al.

2

: elliptical trainer

Ellipticals move in a smooth, oval motion, like riding a bike standing up, and offer great features like your beloved treadmill.

—Monique Savin

Synonyms

Adjective

• ambiguous
• arcane
• cryptic
• dark
• deep
• Delphic
• double-edged
• enigmatic
• enigmatical
• equivocal
• fuliginous
• inscrutable
• murky
• mysterious
• mystic
• nebulous
• obscure
• occult
• opaque

Examples of elliptical in a Sentence

Adjective

The moon follows an elliptical path around the Earth.

a writer with an elliptical style

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

In simple terms, asteroids and comets are both celestial objects in orbit around the sun, though the former are rocky and the latter are mostly icy and form an iconic tail when their elliptical orbits take them close to our star. —Margherita Bassi, Smithsonian Magazine, 10 Dec. 2024

Over four elliptical seasons, Tom and Gerri experience joy, death, and all the stuff in between. —Fran Hoepfner, Vulture, 9 Dec. 2024

Noun

Save on a workout rack that's 73 percent off — that's a savings of almost $1,000 — in addition to treadmills, ellipticals, and rowers, all under $400 ahead of Cyber Monday. —Toni Sutton, People.com, 30 Nov. 2024

Additional equipment, such as rowers, bikes, ellipticals, and free weights allow guests to keep fitness routines in sync while on board. —Kathleen Turner, Forbes, 28 Oct. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Adjective

Greek elleiptikos defective, marked by ellipsis, from elleipein

First Known Use

Adjective

1656, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun

1936, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing elliptical

• elliptical galaxy
• elliptical trainer