elliptical

IPA/ɪˈlɪptɪkl/
KK[ɪlˈɪptɪkəl]IPA/ɪˈlɪptɪkl/

elliptical — adjective

  • ellipticalpositive
  • more ellipticalcomparative
  • most ellipticalsuperlative

1. having a long rounded shape that is wider in the middle than at the ends

1.adjectiveC1
Definition

having a long rounded shape that is wider in the middle than at the ends

Example

The hotel lobby had an elliptical skylight above the front desk.

elliptical + noun for visible shape

From the hill, the pond looked elliptical in the afternoon light.

linking verb: looked elliptical

Common collocations
  • elliptical mirror
  • elliptical table
  • elliptical skylight
  • elliptical pond
  • elliptical path
Synonyms
  • oval

    the usual everyday word for this kind of rounded stretched shape

  • egg-shaped

    close in meaning, often suggesting one end is a little narrower

  • oblong

    usually suggests straighter sides and a less evenly rounded outline

Antonyms
  • round

    used for a shape that is close to a true circle

  • square

    used for a shape with straight sides and corners

Grammar Patterns

an elliptical + noun

be elliptical

look elliptical

Usage Note

Usually describes a physical shape that can be seen, such as a window, mirror, path, or pond outline. Distinguish it from adjective/2, which describes language with words left out.

Common Mistakes

The logo is ellipse.
The logo is elliptical.
use the adjective after a linking verb.
an ellipse table
an elliptical table
the noun 'ellipse' does not directly modify another noun here.

2. expressed in a shortened way, with some words left out so the listener or reader

2.adjectiveC2
Definition

expressed in a shortened way, with some words left out so the listener or reader must supply them

Example

When asked about the plan, Yuna gave an elliptical answer and walked away.

elliptical answer with omitted wording

The note on Leo's door was elliptical, missing both a verb and date.

words omitted from a short written message

Common collocations
  • elliptical answer
  • elliptical remark
  • elliptical comment
  • elliptical style
  • elliptical sentence
Synonyms
  • telegraphic

    more strongly suggests clipped message style, especially in writing

  • cryptic

    stresses hard-to-see meaning more than missing wording

  • brief

    only means short and does not imply omitted words

Antonyms
  • explicit

    states the meaning fully instead of leaving gaps

  • fully stated

    describes wording with the missing parts supplied

Grammar Patterns

an elliptical answer

be elliptical about [something]

elliptical style

Usage Note

Often used for answers, remarks, comments, and writing when some parts are deliberately omitted. Distinguish it from adjective/1, which is about shape rather than expression.

Common Mistakes

Her answer was brief, so it was elliptical.
Her answer was elliptical because key words were left out.
short wording alone does not make something elliptical.
The math problem is elliptical.
The math problem is confusing.
this sense refers to language with missing parts, not general difficulty.

Word family

  • ellipse
    nounC1
  • ellipsis
    nounC2
  • elliptically
    adverbC2

Synonym discussion

Sense: adjective/1

'Elliptical' is the more formal choice for a rounded shape that is longer in one direction than the other, and it often appears in technical, scientific, or careful visual description. 'Oval' is the everyday word most people use for mirrors, tables, or faces with this shape. 'Egg-shaped' is close, but it often suggests that one end is a little narrower, so it is less even than 'elliptical'. 'Oblong' usually points to a longer shape with flatter sides, so it is not as smoothly curved. A designer may describe an elliptical skylight in a plan, while a shopper is more likely to ask for an oval mirror.

elliptical ↗oval ↗egg-shapedoblong ↗

Etymology

GreekLatinFrenchEnglish

Elliptical was formed from 'ellipse' with the adjective ending '-ical'. The family goes back through Latin and French to Greek elleipsis, a word connected with leaving something out or falling short. That history helps explain why English uses 'elliptical' both for the stretched shape of an ellipse and for language that leaves some words unsaid.

First known use

1656

1656, in the meaning defined at sense 1 Noun