geometric
geometric — adjective
1. A geometric shape has a regular, clearly defined form — like a square with four
A geometric shape has a regular, clearly defined form — like a square with four equal sides, a triangle with three corners, or a perfect circle. The opposite would be an irregular or freeform shape that does not follow such rules.
The children cut out geometric shapes — squares, triangles, and circles — from coloured paper.
collocation: geometric shapes + list of shapes
Padma's bracelet was made of tiny geometric cubes linked together on a silver chain.
A poster on the wall showed geometric shapes from a triangle to a twelve-sided polygon.
Wren used a compass to draw a perfect geometric circle on the whiteboard.
- regular
broader term; regular can describe spacing or timing, not just visual shape
- angular
narrower — only for shapes with clear angles, not curves
- symmetrical
focuses on balance across an axis rather than the presence of standard shapes
文法句型
geometric + noun (shape, figure, form)
用法筆記
This sense is the most concrete; it describes the physical appearance of individual shapes. Frequently used attributively before nouns such as shape, figure, or form.
常見錯誤
2. When a design is geometric, it repeats regular shapes — squares arranged in rows
When a design is geometric, it repeats regular shapes — squares arranged in rows, triangles fitted together like mosaic tiles, or circles spaced in a neat line — to decorate a surface, fabric, or wall.
The curtains had a geometric pattern of overlapping circles and triangles.
collocation: geometric pattern + of [shapes]
Christopher decorated his notebook cover with a geometric design in blue and yellow paint.
The mosque's wooden doors were carved with intricate geometric patterns of eight-pointed stars.
Hui bought a rug with a black-and-white geometric print of diamonds and squares.
- patterned
broader — includes floral, abstract, and other repeating motifs
- symmetrical
more specific; implies mirror-image balance rather than just repeating shapes
- structured
less visual; can refer to organisation rather than decoration
- freeform
describes designs with no repeating structure or regular outlines
- naturalistic
imitates nature rather than using abstract regular shapes
文法句型
geometric + noun (pattern, design, print, arrangement)
用法筆記
Frequently appears in descriptions of art, textiles, wallpaper, flooring, and architectural decoration. Contrasts with floral, organic, or freeform design styles.
常見錯誤
3. Connected to geometry — the branch of mathematics that examines points, lines, a
Connected to geometry — the branch of mathematics that examines points, lines, angles, surfaces, and how space is measured. A geometric principle or formula belongs to this field.
The students learned geometric formulas to calculate the area of each shape.
collocation: geometric formulas
Kasia solved a geometric problem about the angles inside a pentagon.
Aarav wrote a geometric proof on the whiteboard, showing how each new step built on the last one.
The architect applied geometric principles to design the curved glass roof of the library.
- mathematical
broader — covers all branches of mathematics, not just geometry
- spatial
focuses on the relationship between objects in space, which overlaps with geometry
文法句型
geometric + noun (principle, proof, formula, problem)
用法筆記
This sense is mainly used in academic or technical writing. It is a relational adjective — it links the noun it modifies to the field of geometry, rather than describing a visual property.