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

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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

Its elliptical orbit is also why, technically, Mars was slightly closer to Earth on Sunday, Jan. 12, than tonight, at 59.7 million miles (96.1 million kilometers). —Jamie Carter, Forbes, 16 Jan. 2025

Within about an hour, Blue Ghost separated from the Falcon 9 rocket on an elliptical Earth orbit before establishing communications with Firefly’s mission operations center in Cedar Park, Texas. —Eric Lagatta, USA TODAY, 15 Jan. 2025

Noun

This is where an elliptical can come in.1 These machines are easy on the joints and versatile—allowing for a forward or backward stride with an adjusted incline and resistance.2 Elliptical trainers may protect against making a previous injury worse, as well as help prevent injuries. —Cristina Mutchler, Verywell Health, 5 Jan. 2025

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

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