diagonal
/daɪˈæɡənl/ (bre, ipa) · /daɪˈæɡənl/ (ame, ipa) · /dī-ˈa-gə-nᵊl -ˈag-nəl/ (ame, mw) · /daɪˈæɡ.ən.əl/ (bre, ipa) · /daɪˈæɡ.ən.əl/ (ame, ipa)
diagonal — adjective
- diagonalpositive
- more diagonalcomparative
- most diagonalsuperlative
1. describes a straight line that slants across something, usually running from one
describes a straight line that slants across something, usually running from one corner of a flat shape to the opposite corner instead of going straight up or straight across.
Omar drew a diagonal line from the top-left corner of the page to the bottom-right.
attributive: a diagonal line
The new school uniform has thin diagonal stripes in navy and gold.
collocation: diagonal stripes
A long diagonal crack ran across the bedroom ceiling above Jenna's bed.
Tara folded the napkin along a diagonal crease so it looked like a small triangle.
Builders added a diagonal beam across the wooden frame to keep the wall steady.
- horizontal
running flat from side to side.
- vertical
running straight up and down.
文法句型
a diagonal + noun
用法筆記
Almost always used before a noun (a diagonal line, diagonal stripes); rarely used after 'be' on its own to describe an object's overall shape.
常見錯誤
2. describes movement that travels at a slanting angle across a space rather than s
describes movement that travels at a slanting angle across a space rather than straight forward, backward, or sideways.
Indra made a sudden diagonal sprint across the football pitch to receive the pass.
collocation: diagonal sprint/run
The bishop moved with a long diagonal slide from one side of the chessboard to the other.
collocation: diagonal move/slide
A strong wind pushed the kite into a diagonal climb above the beach huts.
Amira took a diagonal step backwards to dodge her partner's kick during practice.
- straight
moving directly forward without sideways drift.
文法句型
a diagonal + motion noun
用法筆記
Distinguish from sense 1: sense 1 describes a still line or shape; this sense describes motion (a diagonal run, climb, step). The noun after 'diagonal' is usually a movement word.
diagonal — noun
- diagonalsingular
- diagonalsplural
1. an imaginary or drawn slanting line inside a shape with four corners (like a squ
an imaginary or drawn slanting line inside a shape with four corners (like a square or rectangle), running from one corner to the corner on the opposite side.
Beatrix asked the class to measure the diagonal of a square with sides ten centimetres long.
the diagonal of + shape
Vinícius cut the sandwich along its diagonal so each half was a perfect triangle.
collocation: cut along the diagonal
Each tile on the kitchen floor had a thin gold diagonal running between two opposite corners.
Ilan folded the paper along the diagonal to make a simple paper aeroplane.
The two diagonals of a rectangle always cross at the centre point.
- slash
informal name for the punctuation mark '/'; not a general synonym.
- cross-line
informal; describes any line that cuts across, without the corner-to-corner geometric meaning.
文法句型
the diagonal of [shape]
draw / form a diagonal
用法筆記
Frequently appears with prepositions: 'the diagonal of [a shape]' (which shape), 'along the diagonal' (direction of folding or cutting). Plural 'diagonals' is common in geometry.