elliptical

/ɪˈlɪptɪkl/ (bre, ipa) · [ɪlˈɪptɪkəl] /ɪˈlɪptɪkl/ (ame, ipa) · [ɪlˈɪptɪkəl] /i-ˈlip-ti-kəl e-/ (ame, mw)

elliptical — adjective

  • ellipticalpositive
  • more ellipticalcomparative
  • most ellipticalsuperlative

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

1.形容詞C1
釋義

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

例句

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

同義詞
  • 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

反義詞
  • round

    used for a shape that is close to a true circle

  • square

    used for a shape with straight sides and corners

文法句型

an elliptical + noun

be elliptical

look elliptical

用法筆記

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.

常見錯誤

❌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.形容詞C2
釋義

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

例句

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

同義詞
  • 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

反義詞
  • explicit

    states the meaning fully instead of leaving gaps

  • fully stated

    describes wording with the missing parts supplied

文法句型

an elliptical answer

be elliptical about [something]

elliptical style

用法筆記

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.

常見錯誤

❌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.