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

Use the domed brush for concave bath tubs and sinks, or the pointed brush for corners and groutlines. —Clara McMahon, People.com, 3 Jan. 2025

Meanwhile, centrifugal force beckons the balls to the dip in the concave disc’s center. —Emily Watlington, ARTnews.com, 20 Dec. 2024

Noun

Samsung Galaxy Ring $399.99 from samsung.com, £399 from samsung.com Samsung’s take on the smart ring is excellent, with a slick, concave styling that looks and feels great. —David Phelan, Forbes, 31 Dec. 2024

Weber and Weber identify another common Central Texas native, the winter grape, also known as Heller's grape or Spanish grape, which looks almost exactly like the mustang, but without the concave leaves or wooly underbellies. —Michael Barnes, Austin American-Statesman, 10 May 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