square
square — verb
- squarepresent simple I / you / we / they
- squares3rd person singular
- squaring-ing form
- squaredpast simple
1. to take a number and times it by itself to find its product — for instance, thre
to take a number and times it by itself to find its product — for instance, three squared (3²) gives nine
Ezra squared seven in his head and got forty-nine.
square + number + in one's head (mental calculation)
The teacher asked the class to square the number twelve.
Chidi squared each side of the garden to calculate the total area.
In the formula, you first square the value of x before adding it.
When you square the number two, the result is four.
- raise to the power of two
more formal mathematical term
- times by itself
informal, used in everyday speech
- take the square root of
the inverse mathematical operation
文法句型
square + number/expression
常見錯誤
❌ 'She squared the number.' (when context is unclear) — For clarity, specify which number: 'She squared the number seven.'
2. to bring your shoulders upward and backward to show you feel ready and determine
to bring your shoulders upward and backward to show you feel ready and determined to deal with something difficult
Before the big speech, Reema squared her shoulders and stepped onto the stage.
square one's shoulders before a difficult task
The soldiers squared their shoulders as the general walked past.
Nicholas squared his shoulders and told the truth about the accident.
Standing at the starting line, Élise squared her shoulders and waited for the signal.
- brace
less specific, can refer to physical or mental preparation
- straighten
refers only to the physical posture, without the sense of determination
文法句型
square one's shoulders
square + possessive + shoulders
用法筆記
The object of this sense is almost always 'shoulders'. The phrase is used to show that someone is gathering courage or determination before doing something difficult.
常見錯誤
3. to make something square or rectangular in shape, or to bring its edges or corne
to make something square or rectangular in shape, or to bring its edges or corners into a right angle
Cole used a saw to square the edges of the wooden board.
square + physical object (edges/corners)
The carpenter squared the corner of the frame with a measuring tool.
Hamza squared the stone blocks so they would fit together neatly.
Before fixing the shelf, Ilan squared the bracket against the wall.
- trim square
more specific, means cutting to achieve a square shape
- align
broader meaning, not limited to right angles
文法句型
square + physical object
square + noun (edges, corners, blocks)
用法筆記
Common in woodworking, construction, and stonecutting contexts. Often appears in instructions or descriptions of how to prepare materials for assembly.
4. to pay back money that you owe, or to settle a disagreement or rivalry by doing
to pay back money that you owe, or to settle a disagreement or rivalry by doing something that makes the situation fair again
Valentina squared her account with the bank before leaving the country.
square + account/debt with [institution/person]
Quan squared the dinner bill by paying for both meals.
After years of disagreement, the two brothers finally squared things between them.
The boxer squared the score in the third fight after losing the first two matches.
Erik squared the debt by helping his neighbour repair her car.
- owe
the state before the debt is settled
文法句型
square + debt/account/score + with + person
square + bill/account
用法筆記
In financial contexts the object is typically a bill, debt, or account. In sports or rivalry contexts, 'square the score' means to make the competition even again.
常見錯誤
5. to be consistent or in agreement with something — for example, when a person's s
to be consistent or in agreement with something — for example, when a person's story matches the facts, or when an action fits with a principle
Xiu's explanation did not square with the facts that the police found.
does not square with + facts/evidence
Erik squared his actions with his conscience before making the final choice.
square something with [principle/conscience]
The witness's story squares with what the security camera recorded.
We need to square the budget figures with last year's spending report.
- match
more general; can apply to appearance, colour, or facts
- correspond
slightly more formal, used for systematic comparisons
- align with
often used for goals, values, or principles
- contradict
stronger opposite, implies direct opposition
- conflict with
suggests incompatibility rather than mere difference
文法句型
something squares with something
something does not square with something
square something with something
用法筆記
Frequently appears in negative constructions ('doesn't square with', 'how can you square that with?') and questions. The preposition 'with' is always required when showing what two things are compared.
常見錯誤
square — noun
- squaresingular
- squaresplural
1. a two-dimensional figure that has four straight sides of the same length and fou
a two-dimensional figure that has four straight sides of the same length and four corners, each forming a 90-degree angle
The children drew a square with each side measuring five centimeters in their math lesson.
countable: draw a square / a square has four sides
A square is a special kind of rectangle because all four sides are equal.
Jiwoo cut a square out of green paper to make the window for her model house.
The teacher showed how to find the area of a square by multiplying one side by itself.
A chessboard contains sixty-four small squares in alternating black and white.
文法句型
a square
squares (plural)
用法筆記
Commonly used in math contexts. To express area of a square, use 'the area of a square' or 'area = side × side'.
常見錯誤
2. any object or piece of material that has a roughly square shape, such as a piece
any object or piece of material that has a roughly square shape, such as a piece of fabric, glass, cake, or chocolate
Tuan cut the cake into small squares and offered one to each guest.
countable: a square of cake / cut into squares
Beatriz laid the square of silk fabric on the table to check its color in the light.
Iker placed a square of dark chocolate on top of each bowl of ice cream.
The old window had six glass squares, and one of them was cracked.
Nila folded the square of paper into a tiny origami bird.
文法句型
a square of [material/food]
用法筆記
Followed by 'of' plus a material, food, or substance. Common in cooking, crafts, and construction contexts.
3. a single area among many on a game board where players put their game pieces or
a single area among many on a game board where players put their game pieces or land their tokens during play
Mark rolled the dice and moved his red piece forward three squares on the board.
move X squares / land on a square
In chess, every square has a name such as e4 or h8 to identify its position.
Zola landed on the last square of the game and shouted with joy.
The children jumped their tokens from square to square in the brightly colored board game.
Adina counted the squares carefully to make sure she did not miss the shortcut.
文法句型
a square
on a square
land on a square
move X squares
用法筆記
Used for both abstract board positions (chess) and numbered path spaces (dice games). The phrase 'from square to square' describes step-by-step movement.
4. a metal or plastic tool with two straight edges meeting at a 90-degree angle, us
a metal or plastic tool with two straight edges meeting at a 90-degree angle, used by workers such as carpenters to draw or test whether a corner forms a perfect right angle
Walid used a square to check that the corner of the bookshelf was perfectly straight.
use a square to check / test a right angle
The carpenter placed the square against the wooden plank to mark the cut.
Obi keeps his square and measuring tape in the top drawer of his workbench.
Before cutting the pipe, Chidi held a square against it to draw a straight line across.
- try square
a specific type of square tool with a blade and stock, used in woodworking
- set square
a triangular tool used in technical drawing to draw right angles
文法句型
a square
use a square
a square (tool name)
用法筆記
Often called a 'try square' or 'set square' for more specific types. The tool measures right angles, not the headword's geometric meaning.
5. a public open area found in towns and cities, commonly bordered by structures or
a public open area found in towns and cities, commonly bordered by structures or roadways and frequently featuring a garden, a water fountain, a statue, or a marketplace
The town square is full of people every Saturday morning during the farmers' market.
the town square / main square
Jiwoo sat on a bench in the square and watched children play near the fountain.
Beatriz took a photo of the old church at the end of the square.
The hotel is located on the main square, just a few steps from the art museum.
After dinner, the Okonkwo family walked to the square to listen to the street musicians.
文法句型
the square
a square
the town square
main square
用法筆記
In place names it is often capitalized (e.g., Trafalgar Square, Tiananmen Square). Use 'in the square' for being inside the open area, and 'on the square' when giving a location address such as a hotel or cafe.
6. someone whose tastes and habits are conventional and who shows little interest i
someone whose tastes and habits are conventional and who shows little interest in modern trends, new experiences, or adventurous activities
Tuan's colleagues think he is a square because he never tries new food or goes to parties.
be a square (informal, disapproving)
My brother called me a square when I refused to climb the wall with his friends.
Adina felt like a square among her artistic friends, who loved strange modern paintings.
Don't be such a square — come try the new noodle shop with us!
- conservative
less informal; describes a person who prefers traditional values in style and behavior
- traditionalist
a neutral term for someone who follows established customs and resists change
- hipster
someone who follows alternative, modern, or unconventional trends in fashion, music, and lifestyle
文法句型
a square
be a square
用法筆記
Dated slang from the 1950s and 60s jazz and beatnik culture, still understood but less common in modern speech. Used humorously or affectionately among friends. Distinguish from the adjective sense (adj/8) which describes the person's character rather than labeling the person directly.
常見錯誤
7. in mathematics, the value that you get when a number is multiplied by itself — f
in mathematics, the value that you get when a number is multiplied by itself — for example, 25 is the square of 5, because 5 × 5 = 25.
To find the square of 7, simply multiply 7 by 7 to get 49.
to-infinitive pattern: to find the square of
Padma calculated the square of 12 during her maths exam.
Nine is the square of three, so a 3×3 grid contains nine small squares.
The class found the square of each number from one to ten.
Haruto checked his answer: 144 is the square of 12.
- second power
more formal; used in technical math writing
- square root
the value which, when multiplied by itself, gives the original number
文法句型
the square of [number]
用法筆記
Frequently used with the preposition 'of' (the square of three). In mathematical writing, it is often written as a number with an exponent of 2 — for example, 3² is read as 'three squared' or 'the square of three'.
常見錯誤
square — adjective
- squarepositive
- squarercomparative
- squarestsuperlative
1. having four straight sides that are all the same length and four corners where t
having four straight sides that are all the same length and four corners where two sides meet at 90° — in other words, shaped like a square.
The children drew a square house with a red roof and a chimney.
attributive: square + noun (square house)
Nila cut the birthday cake into square pieces so that everyone got an equal share.
The wooden table in the kitchen was square, with each side measuring exactly one metre.
Tendai bought a square rug for the living room and put it under the coffee table.
The postcard had a square shape with a picture of the beach on the front.
- four-sided
less common; describes any shape with four sides, not necessarily equal
文法句型
square + noun
be + square
常見錯誤
2. follows a number together with a unit of length, telling you the total area of a
follows a number together with a unit of length, telling you the total area of a surface or space — for instance, saying a flat is 60 square metres means its floor covers 60 one-by-one-metre blocks.
The one-bedroom apartment was only forty-five square metres but felt very spacious.
pattern: number + unit + square + noun as complement
Liang calculated that the garden covered about two hundred square feet.
The new city park will cover ten thousand square metres of green space.
The storage room was a small space of just nine square metres.
Vinícius said the factory floor measured over five thousand square feet.
文法句型
number + unit + square + noun
用法筆記
The noun after "square" always names the thing being measured (e.g. metres, feet). The number must come before the unit — you cannot say "square 50 metres".
常見錯誤
3. comes right after a length measurement to show you that every edge of the square
comes right after a length measurement to show you that every edge of the square object measures that same length — for instance, a window described as two feet square has edges two feet long.
The guest room was three metres square, with windows on two walls.
pattern: number + unit + square (postpositive)
Roya bought a kitchen table one metre square, just big enough for two people.
The picture frame was twelve inches square and held a family photograph.
The garden plot was five feet square, just enough space for growing vegetables.
The window above the sink was two feet square and let in plenty of morning light.
文法句型
number + unit + square
用法筆記
The word order is key to telling this sense apart from sense 2 (area measurement). Compare: "a 3-metre square table" (area, 9 m²) vs "a 3 metres square table" (each side 3 m). In practice, writers often use "by" to avoid confusion: "a table 3 metres by 3 metres".
常見錯誤
4. at the same level or position as a competitor or opponent in a contest, game, or
at the same level or position as a competitor or opponent in a contest, game, or task — neither side is ahead in points, goals, progress, or position.
After the second round of the quiz, the two teams were all square.
predicative: be all square
Ezra and Yael were square after the first exam, both scoring eighty-seven percent.
The two companies were square in the race for the new contract.
With only one round left, the three finalists were still all square.
The young runners were square as they approached the final bend of the race.
The basketball teams were square at seventy points with two minutes left on the clock.
After Vinícius scored, the match was square at two goals each.
The score was square going into the final round of the tournament.
Mira's team pulled ahead, but the other side scored again to make it square.
The tennis match was all square after three sets, so a deciding set was needed.
- even
more general and more common; can describe any equal state
- level
similar meaning, often used in sports contexts
- neck and neck
idiomatic; emphasises a close race or competition
- tied
more common in American English; can be used for any equal score
- drawn
British English; used when a match ends with equal scores
文法句型
be (all) square
用法筆記
This sense covers both general competition contexts (exam results, business) and sports scores (goals, points). In sports, 'square' is often followed by 'at' plus the score, e.g., 'square at two goals each'. Distinguish from sense 5 (DEBT SETTLED) which is about financial balance between people.
常見錯誤
5. with all money owed paid back in full, so that neither side owes anything to the
with all money owed paid back in full, so that neither side owes anything to the other — used between two people who have settled a financial account.
You paid for dinner and I bought the movie tickets, so we are square.
predicative: be square for debt settlement
Walid lent Brian fifty dollars, but Brian paid him back yesterday, so they are all square.
After settling the restaurant bill, everyone transferred their share and we were all square.
Here is the money I owe you — that makes us square, right?
Dewi checked the shared bills to confirm that everything was square with her roommate.
文法句型
be (all) square
用法筆記
This sense only applies to people, not to bank accounts or credit cards. For financial accounts you would say "settled" or "balanced" instead.
常見錯誤
6. positioned so that something forms a straight line or a straight edge with anoth
positioned so that something forms a straight line or a straight edge with another thing, without any part sticking out or being crooked.
Marta lined up the chairs so they were square with the wall.
square with [something] — aligned in a straight line
Make sure the edge of the paper is square with the desk before you start cutting.
The tiles need to be laid perfectly square, or the pattern will look wrong.
Niran checked that the picture frame was square with the corner of the room.
用法筆記
Often followed by 'with' to indicate what object serves as the reference line.
常見錯誤
7. describing someone who avoids new or exciting ideas, follows conventional rules,
describing someone who avoids new or exciting ideas, follows conventional rules, and is seen as dull or out of touch by people who enjoy modern trends.
My uncle is so square — he thinks video games are a waste of time.
informal pattern: 'so square' for emphasis
The teenagers called their teacher square because she did not know any popular music.
Mizuki refused to wear bright colours to the party; her friends said she was being square.
Nora left the rock concert early, and her roommate joked she was a bit square.
- old-fashioned
more neutral; can describe ideas or styles without judging the person
- straight-laced
stronger negative connotation; suggests rigid moral rules
- conservative
broader; can describe political or social views, not just taste
- trendy
eager to follow the latest fashions
- hip
slang for being aware of and accepting new cultural trends
- progressive
open to new ideas, especially in social values
用法筆記
This sense is somewhat dated in modern slang; 'old-fashioned', 'conservative', or 'straight-laced' are more common alternatives today.
常見錯誤
8. describing two lines or flat surfaces that come together to make a 90-degree cor
describing two lines or flat surfaces that come together to make a 90-degree corner, like the walls meeting a floor.
The carpenter checked that the corner was square before nailing the boards together.
square = at a right angle in woodworking
Takeshi used a tool to make sure the fence posts were square with the ground.
The architect drew a square corner between the wall and the floor on her blueprint.
The table wobbled because its legs were not perfectly square with the tabletop.
- right-angled
more technical; explicitly states 90 degrees
- perpendicular
formal geometric term for lines meeting at 90 degrees
- oblique
at an angle other than 90 degrees
- out of square
construction term meaning not at a right angle
用法筆記
Common in woodworking, construction, and geometry. The opposite is 'out of square' — meaning not at a right angle.
常見錯誤
9. having a body shape that is wide, solid, and sturdy rather than slim or curved —
having a body shape that is wide, solid, and sturdy rather than slim or curved — often used to describe shoulders, a jaw, or a person's general build that suggests physical strength.
The boxer had broad square shoulders that made him look very powerful.
square shoulders = broad, strong shoulders
Trang had a square jaw and a confident walk that impressed the interviewers.
The rugby player had a square, solid build that helped him push through tackles.
The old wooden chair had square arms and a thick back that had lasted for decades.
用法筆記
Describing someone as having a 'square build' is neutral or positive — it suggests strength and sturdiness, not heaviness. Also used for furniture and objects with a broad, solid shape.
常見錯誤
10. acting in an honest and just manner, especially in business or financial matters
acting in an honest and just manner, especially in business or financial matters — without trickery, hidden fees, or unfair advantage over others.
The car dealer gave us a square deal and even pointed out a small problem with the engine.
square deal = honest, fair transaction
The landlord was known for being square with his tenants, never charging extra fees without warning.
Asher promised to be square with his business partner about the costs from the start.
Eitan refused to lie on the tax form because he believed in being square in all money matters.
- crooked
informal; dishonest, especially in business or politics
- unscrupulous
formal; having no moral principles
- shady
informal; suspicious, possibly dishonest
用法筆記
Often appears in the fixed phrase 'a square deal' or 'square with someone'. This sense is less common in everyday speech — 'fair' and 'honest' are more frequent alternatives, but 'square' adds a slightly informal, trustworthy tone.
常見錯誤
11. in a position that is parallel to a reference line or exactly at the same height
in a position that is parallel to a reference line or exactly at the same height as something else, with no tilt or gap — often used for shelves, pictures, or surfaces that need to be even with each other.
Obi adjusted the shelf until it was square with the one below it.
square with = level with, at the same height
The two bookcases stand square against the wall, leaving no gap between them.
Make sure the cutting board is square on the counter before you start chopping vegetables.
Sade hung the painting so that its frame was square with the top of the window.
- uneven
not level; at different heights
- crooked
not straight; at an angle
- off-centre
not aligned with the central reference
用法筆記
Distinguish from sense 4 (even/equal in score or debt). This sense is about physical alignment — use 'square with' followed by the reference object. Frequently used in DIY, decorating, and construction contexts.
常見錯誤
12. describes a meal that is large and filling enough to properly satisfy your hunge
describes a meal that is large and filling enough to properly satisfy your hunger, rather than being just a small snack or a light bite
After hiking all day, Marta was ready for a square meal at the village inn.
square + meal as a fixed collocation
The children ate only snacks all day, so Constanza gave them a square meal.
For a good start to the day, eat a square meal with eggs and toast.
Eli told his roommate that instant noodles are not a square meal for dinner.
Without a square meal at lunchtime, Hassan felt too weak to finish his afternoon work.
- hearty
more common and general; works with many food nouns
- substantial
more formal; can describe things other than food
- filling
focuses on the feeling of being full after eating
文法句型
square + meal / breakfast / lunch / dinner
用法筆記
Restricted to the noun 'meal' and specific meal names ('breakfast', 'lunch', 'dinner'). Cannot be used with other food nouns such as 'sandwich' or 'soup'.
常見錯誤
square — adverb
1. in a direct and honest way, without trying to avoid the truth or hide your real
in a direct and honest way, without trying to avoid the truth or hide your real feelings or opinions
Nikos looked his boss square in the eye and admitted the mistake.
square + in the eye — look directly at someone
Wei told the committee square that the budget was too small to finish the work.
tell + square + that-clause
Nala answered square when the reporter asked about her past mistakes.
Soraya looked square at her sister and said she would never lie again.
- evasively
avoiding the direct truth
- dishonestly
not being truthful
文法句型
square + prepositional phrase (in the eye/face)
square + that-clause with tell/say
用法筆記
Common before prepositional phrases like 'in the eye' or 'at someone'. Often used with verbs of speaking or looking (tell, answer, look).
常見錯誤
2. positioned so that the front or face of one thing is directly opposite the front
positioned so that the front or face of one thing is directly opposite the front or face of another thing
After the accident the two cars sat square against each other on the wet road.
square against — facing directly
Joaquín stood square in front of the gate and would not let anyone pass.
square in front of — directly opposite
The two teams lined up square to each other before the match began.
Karim placed the mirror square against the wall so that it faced the door exactly.
- directly opposite
more formal and precise
- head-on
especially for collisions or confrontations
文法句型
square + against/to + noun
用法筆記
Common in physical descriptions of objects or people facing each other. Often followed by 'against', 'to', or 'in front of'.
3. positioned so that one surface or line meets another at exactly 90 degrees, not
positioned so that one surface or line meets another at exactly 90 degrees, not sloping or tilted
Liam cut the wooden board square so that it would fit perfectly into the corner.
cut square — ensure right angles by cutting
The shelf was fixed square to the wall with no tilt at all.
square to — at a right angle with
Nala laid the tiles square against the edge of the bathroom floor.
Sahil checked that the fence posts stood square with the line of the house.
- perpendicularly
technical term for at a 90° angle
- at right angles
the full phrase; both adverb and prepositional use
- diagonally
at an angle other than 90°
文法句型
square + to/with + noun
用法筆記
Very common in woodworking, construction, and geometry contexts. Often used with verbs like 'cut', 'fix', 'lay', 'place'.
4. in a straight, uninterrupted line from one point to another, without anything or
in a straight, uninterrupted line from one point to another, without anything or anyone in between to block or change the path
The ball hit James square on the jaw and knocked him to the ground.
hit square on — collide directly with a body part
Wei sat square in the middle of the bench so that nobody else could fit.
The arrow from James's bow landed square in the centre of the target.
Anong threw the stone square through the open window without breaking the frame.
- indirectly
not in a straight line
- at an angle
not hitting dead centre
文法句型
square + prepositional phrase
用法筆記
Frequently used with verbs of impact or placement (hit, land, sit, throw) followed by a prepositional phrase ('on', 'in', 'through'). Gives emphasis that the action happened exactly as intended.
常見錯誤
5. in a strong, stable, and unmoving way that shows confidence or solidness of posi
in a strong, stable, and unmoving way that shows confidence or solidness of position
The wrestler planted his feet square on the mat before lifting his opponent.
plant feet square — stand in a stable, strong position
Anong stood square with her shoulders back as she faced the crowd.
The old wooden gate was fixed square into the ground and would not move.
Sahil set his shoulders square and walked into the interview room without fear.
- weakly
without strength or stability
文法句型
square + prepositional phrase
用法筆記
Often describes posture or physical stance. 'Set one's shoulders square' is a common idiom meaning to prepare oneself with confidence.
6. so that something has the form of a square, with four equal sides and four corne
so that something has the form of a square, with four equal sides and four corners of 90 degrees
Lien folded the paper square so that it would fit into the small envelope.
fold square — fold to produce a square shape
The baker cut the cake square instead of in the usual round slices.
Soraya stacked the gift boxes square so that they formed a neat tower.
The children arranged their chairs square around the low table for the art class.
- into a square
prepositional phrase with the same meaning
- round
shaped like a circle
- in a triangle
shaped with three sides
文法句型
square + across/out
用法筆記
Describes the resulting shape of an action. Used with verbs that involve cutting, folding, arranging, or building.