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

Smaller planets, it was revealed, tended to have nearly circular orbits, while larger giant planets have flattened, or elliptical, orbits. —Robert Lea, Space.com, 19 Mar. 2025

Yet even as that’s happening, Patterson stages it all with an elliptical trickery that keeps the film knowingly off-balance. —Owen Gleiberman, Variety, 11 Mar. 2025

Noun

Certain ellipticals also have arm handles that move back and forth. —Jennifer Heimlich, SELF, 4 Mar. 2025

There are a few different kinds of ellipticals out there. —Jennifer Heimlich, SELF, 4 Mar. 2025

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