angularity

IPA/ˌæŋ.ɡjəˈlær.ə.ti/
IPA/ˌæŋ.ɡjəˈler.ə.t̬i/

angularity — noun

1. the state of having clear corners and straight edges instead of smooth curves.

1.nounC2
Definition

the state of having clear corners and straight edges instead of smooth curves.

Example

The toy robot's angularity made it stand out beside the round dolls.

angularity in product design

Jin preferred the table's angularity to the sofa's soft curves.

Common collocations
  • the angularity of the design
  • architectural angularity
  • reduce the angularity
  • visible angularity
Synonyms
  • sharpness

    can describe pointed edges, but it is broader and less tied to overall shape

  • squareness

    suggests a more box-like shape; angularity can involve many kinds of corners

Antonyms
  • curvature

    focuses on smooth bending instead of corners

  • roundness

    describes a smooth curved shape with no sharp corners

Grammar Patterns

the angularity of + noun

Usage Note

Usually used for objects, buildings, or designs whose shape is made of obvious corners and straight lines. Unlike sense 2, this sense refers to the actual structure of the shape, not just the visual impression it gives.

2. a look of sharp lines or pointed features, especially in a face, body, or style.

2.nounC2
Definition

a look of sharp lines or pointed features, especially in a face, body, or style.

Example

After weeks of illness, Ayana's face had a new angularity.

angularity in facial appearance

The photographer liked the angularity of Otis's jaw in side light.

the angularity of + body part

Common collocations
  • facial angularity
  • the angularity of the jaw
  • an elegant angularity
  • give something angularity
Synonyms
  • edginess

    can suggest a sharp or striking look, but it often also carries a modern or nervous feeling

  • sharpness

    broader word for pointed visual effect; angularity stresses lines and corners more strongly

Antonyms
  • softness

    suggests gentle, rounded lines rather than sharp ones

  • fullness

    often describes a rounder face or body shape with less visible bone structure

Grammar Patterns

the angularity of + face/body part

give + noun + angularity

Usage Note

Often used when someone's face, body, movement, or a design seems sharp-edged or bony. Distinguish this from sense 1, which describes real corners in the shape itself rather than the impression of pointedness.

Word family

Synonym discussion

Sense: noun/2

'Sharpness', 'edginess', 'curvature', and 'angularity' can all describe the visual effect of lines and shapes, but they focus on different things. 'Sharpness' is the broadest word and can describe anything pointed, exact, or intense. 'Edginess' often suggests a modern, tense, or deliberately striking quality, not just physical lines. 'Curvature' moves in the opposite direction, emphasizing smooth bending rather than corners. 'Angularity' is the most specific when a face, body, object, or design looks defined by corners, straight lines, or bony outlines.

sharpness ↗edginess ↗curvature ↗

Common collocations

Nouns

Phrases

  • the angularity of
  • architectural angularity
  • facial angularity
  • give something angularity

Prepositions

Etymology

LatinEnglish

Angularity comes from 'angular' plus the noun-forming suffix '-ity'. 'Angular' goes back to Latin 'angulus', meaning 'corner' or 'angle'. English first used 'angularity' for the quality of having corners or angles, and later extended it to the sharp, bony look of a face, body, or style.

First known use

1642

1642, in the meaning defined at sense 1