three-dimensional

adjective

three-di·​men·​sion·​al ˈthrē-də-ˈmen(t)-sh(ə-)nəl 

 also  -dī-

1

: of, relating to, or having three dimensions

2

: giving the illusion of depth or varying distances

—used especially of an image or a pictorial representation on a two-dimensional medium when this illusion is enhanced by stereoscopic means

3

: describing or being described in well-rounded completeness

a three-dimensional analysis of multiple historical processes

—L. L. Snyder

4

: true to life : lifelike

three-dimensionality

ˈthrē-də-ˌmen(t)-shə-ˈna-lə-tē 

noun

Synonyms

• lifelike
• living
• natural
• naturalistic
• naturalist
• near
• photo-realistic
• realistic

Examples of three-dimensional in a Sentence

an actress who has been acclaimed for her three-dimensional portrayal of the celebrated monarch

Recent Examples on the Web

The concept of the new Prada boutique showcases a bright facade illuminated by backlight, with a three-dimensional triangular pattern that echoes the brand’s iconic logo. —Lisa Lockwood, WWD, 10 Dec. 2024

Duchamp spent the last twenty years of his life working in secret on a three-dimensional tableau vivant of a naked, headless female body in a realistic landscape, a strangely disturbing image that is both a summary of his meta-retinal art and a total departure from it. —Calvin Tomkins, The New Yorker, 9 Dec. 2024

The young artist’s work stood out for its unique chiaroscuro, masterfully contrasting light and shadow to create dramatic, three-dimensional images. —Sonja Anderson, Smithsonian Magazine, 9 Dec. 2024

Fei-Fei Li’s World Labs offers first glimpse of its AI World Labs—founded in 2023 by AI pioneer Fei-Fei Li and technologists Justin Johnson, Christoph Lassner, and Ben Mildenhall—has revealed an AI system that can generate three-dimensional worlds from a single image. —Byandrew Nusca, Fortune, 3 Dec. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1872, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

three-dimensional

adjective

1

: of, relating to, or having three dimensions (as length, width, and height)

2

: giving the appearance of depth or varying distances