square
square — verb
1. to find what you get when a number is used as a factor twice — for instance, fou
to find what you get when a number is used as a factor twice — for instance, four squared equals sixteen.
Rin squared nine in her head and quickly got eighty-one.
square + number, mental calculation
The maths teacher asked the whole class to square the number seven.
If you square five, the result is twenty-five.
To find the area of the garden, first square the side length.
On the test, Hari had to square each number in the first column.
- raise to the power of two
more formal; used in technical or written mathematics
- find the square root of
the inverse mathematical operation
文法句型
square + number
用法筆記
Only used with numbers; the base number is the grammatical object. Do not use this sense for multiplying two different numbers together.
常見錯誤
2. to push your shoulders back and make your posture firm and straight, showing tha
to push your shoulders back and make your posture firm and straight, showing that you are ready to face a challenge or deal with something difficult.
Nia squared her shoulders and walked calmly onto the stage to give her speech.
square + possessive + shoulders for showing determination
Why did Jude square his shoulders before the race? To calm his nerves and prepare for the start signal.
question–answer structure for purpose of squaring shoulders
With his shoulders squared and his chin held high, Eli faced the angry crowd without a trace of fear.
Trang squared her shoulders with such force that the manager took a step back when she entered the room.
- brace oneself
more general; describes preparing mentally rather than physically adjusting posture
- steel oneself
more formal; describes preparing emotionally for something unpleasant
文法句型
square + possessive + shoulders
用法筆記
Almost always used with the object 'shoulders' and a possessive determiner (your, his, her, my). The fixed phrase is 'square one's shoulders.'
常見錯誤
3. to make something straight or to position it at a right angle to another surface
to make something straight or to position it at a right angle to another surface or edge.
Eric squared the wooden panel against the workbench before cutting it.
square + object + against + surface
The carpenter squared the door frame to make sure it was perfectly straight.
Joon used a ruler to square the corner of the paper before folding it.
Before fixing the shelf, Esteban squared the bracket carefully against the wall.
The builders squared each brick as they laid it to keep the wall level.
- misalign
to position incorrectly or at a wrong angle
文法句型
square + object
square + object + against/with + surface
用法筆記
Common in DIY, carpentry, and construction contexts. The object is typically a piece of material (board, brick, frame) that needs straight or right-angle alignment.
常見錯誤
4. to pay money that you owe so that your accounts or payments are balanced.
to pay money that you owe so that your accounts or payments are balanced.
After dinner, Christopher squared the bill using his credit card.
square + bill — settle a shared cost
Hari needs to square his hotel account before checking out tomorrow morning.
Hamza and Élise squared up after sharing the fare for the taxi.
The restaurant manager squared the accounts with the supplier at the end of the month.
Can we square up later? I forgot to bring my wallet today.
文法句型
square + bill/debt/account
square up
square up with + person
用法筆記
Often used in the phrasal verb 'square up' (especially British English). The object is typically a bill, debt, account, or the person you owe.
常見錯誤
5. to make two ideas, facts, statements, or situations agree with or match each oth
to make two ideas, facts, statements, or situations agree with or match each other — for example, squaring a new rule with an existing policy, or finding that one account does not square with another.
How can the company square this new policy with its promise to customers?
how can + square + something + with + something else
Élise could not square what she had heard with what she saw at the scene.
His actions do not square with the beliefs he claims to hold.
The finance department needs to square its budget with the new environmental rules.
Rin tried to square her dream of travelling with the reality of her limited savings.
- contradict
when two things are in direct opposition rather than just mismatched
文法句型
square + something + with + something
square with + something
用法筆記
Often used in negative or interrogative sentences when expressing that two things are incompatible. The pattern 'how can/could you square X with Y' is very common in everyday English.
常見錯誤
square — noun
1. a geometric figure whose four sides are the same length and whose four corners f
a geometric figure whose four sides are the same length and whose four corners form 90-degree angles
Noa drew a large square on the whiteboard during the math lesson.
countable: draw + a square + on + surface
A chess board is divided into sixty-four small squares in alternating colours.
The children learned that every square has four equal sides and four right angles.
Each window on the front of the building was a perfect square.
- quadrilateral
any four-sided shape, not only one with equal sides and right angles; more technical
- rectangle
a four-sided shape with right angles but sides of different lengths; more general
常見錯誤
2. an object or piece that is more or less square in form
an object or piece that is more or less square in form
Lien cut the cake into small squares for the party guests.
cut + object + into + squares + [prep phrase]
Ada placed a square of butter on the hot pan to melt.
The mosaic was made from tiny glass squares in bright colours.
Romi tore a square of fabric from the old shirt to use as a cloth.
用法筆記
Often used with 'of' followed by the material or substance: 'a square of chocolate', 'a square of paper'.
常見錯誤
3. one of many equal-sized spaces marked on a board that players move through in a
one of many equal-sized spaces marked on a board that players move through in a game
Baraka moved his piece forward three squares on the board.
move + possessive + piece + [number] + squares + on the board
If your token lands on the blue square, you miss a turn.
Rania counted the squares as she moved her game piece along the path.
The winning square was marked with a gold star at the centre.
用法筆記
Common in board games such as chess, checkers, Monopoly, and Snakes and Ladders. Each square has a fixed position on the board and may be coloured or labelled.
4. an L-shaped tool used by carpenters, builders, and designers to draw or check 90
an L-shaped tool used by carpenters, builders, and designers to draw or check 90-degree angles
Christopher used a square to check that the shelf was straight.
use + a square + to check + that + noun phrase
The carpenter held the square against the corner of the wooden frame.
Élise placed a square on her drawing to make sure the lines met at a right angle.
A drafting square helps builders mark their cuts at the correct angle.
- set square
a specific type of drafting square, often triangular for drawing angles other than 90 degrees
- try square
a carpentry tool with a metal blade and wooden handle
用法筆記
Often appears in compound forms: 'set square' (for technical drawing), 'try square' (for carpentry). Distinguish from sense 1 — here the focus is on the tool's function, not the shape.
5. a broad open area in a town or city, often surrounded by buildings and used for
a broad open area in a town or city, often surrounded by buildings and used for public events or markets
The market was set up in the town square every Saturday morning.
in + the + town square / main square / central square
Rodrigo waited for his friend at the fountain in the main square.
Thousands of people gathered in the square to watch the fireworks display.
Cafés and shops lined the four sides of the old stone square.
用法筆記
Often capitalised in place names: Trafalgar Square, Tiananmen Square. When used generically ('the square', 'town square'), it is not capitalised.
常見錯誤
6. a person who prefers old-fashioned ideas and shows little interest in modern or
a person who prefers old-fashioned ideas and shows little interest in modern or exciting things
Sora called his uncle a square for refusing to try any new food.
informal: call + person + a square + for + gerund
Baraka's friends joked that he was a square for going to bed before ten.
Rania felt like a square among the trendy crowd at the art show.
Rachel laughed when her brother teased her for being a square who never went out.
- conservative
broader term covering political and social views; more neutral in tone
- fuddy-duddy
humorous term for someone with very old-fashioned attitudes
- hipster
someone who follows alternative and fashionable trends
- trendsetter
someone who starts new fashion or lifestyle trends
用法筆記
Dated slang from the mid-20th century; still understood but may feel old-fashioned to younger speakers. Often used in a playful or teasing tone rather than as a serious insult.
常見錯誤
7. the value that results when a number is multiplied by its own size — for example
the value that results when a number is multiplied by its own size — for example, 16 is the square of 4 because 4 × 4 = 16
Caio asked the class to find the square of 12, and Ada answered 144.
the square of [number] + be + [result]
The square of 0.5 is 0.25, a fact that surprised Tanvi during her maths homework.
decimal numbers in square calculations
Hiro learned that 49 is the square of 7, so a 7-by-7 garden covers 49 square metres.
To check his answer, Tunde multiplied 15 by itself and got the square, 225.
Defne explained that 81 is the square of 9, since 9 times 9 equals 81.
- square root
the opposite operation — the number that, when multiplied by itself, gives the original number
用法筆記
Common in arithmetic and geometry contexts. The square of a whole number (1, 4, 9, 16, 25, etc.) is called a perfect square.
常見錯誤
square — adjective
1. Describing an object or space that has four sides of equal length joined by four
Describing an object or space that has four sides of equal length joined by four 90-degree corners, like the tiles on a chessboard or a sheet of sticky note paper.
The kitchen table has a square top that can seat four people comfortably.
describing furniture shape — square + noun
Adaeze drew a square box on the paper and coloured it blue with a crayon.
The window is square, not rectangular, and lets in light from all sides.
We bought a square rug that fits the living room corner perfectly.
The square garden has a flower bed along each edge and a central path.
- rectangular
has unequal adjacent sides, unlike a square which has all four sides equal
- round
curved shape with no corners, contrasted with the right angles of a square
文法句型
square + noun
be square
2. Follows a number and a unit of length (like metre or foot) to express how much f
Follows a number and a unit of length (like metre or foot) to express how much flat area something covers — for instance, saying a flat has 65 square metres of living space.
The apartment covers 65 square metres, with two bedrooms and a living room.
pattern: number + square + unit of length for area measurement
A wildfire damaged about 500 square kilometres of forest in the region last summer.
The new office building covers 3,000 square feet of space across four floors.
Élise measured her room at 12 square metres, enough for a single bed and a desk.
The national park is nearly 1,000 square miles in size and home to many wild animals.
文法句型
number + unit + square + unit
square + noun (e.g. square metres, square feet)
用法筆記
This sense always follows a number and precedes the unit of area (e.g. '20 square metres'). Do not confuse with sense 3, where 'square' comes after the measurement ('20 metres square') and describes the side length, not total area.
常見錯誤
3. Placed directly after a measurement of length to specify that a square-shaped ar
Placed directly after a measurement of length to specify that a square-shaped area has four sides of that measurement — for example, a room that is three metres square has sides of three metres each.
The rug is three metres square, covering most of the living room floor.
pattern: number + unit + square for side length
Samir built a shed that is two metres square, just big enough for his tools.
The tablecloth is one metre square and fits the small kitchen table.
Each plot of land was ten feet square, giving every family equal garden space.
The stage was six metres square, large enough for the whole band and their equipment.
文法句型
number + unit + square
用法筆記
Distinguish from sense 2: '20 metres square' means each side is 20 m long (area = 400 m²), while '20 square metres' means total area = 20 m². The word order changes the meaning completely.
常見錯誤
4. Positioned so that a surface or edge is at the same height, in the same line, or
Positioned so that a surface or edge is at the same height, in the same line, or at a perfect right angle to another surface, with no part tilting or sticking out.
Make sure the shelf is square with the wall before fixing it with screws.
be square with [surface] for alignment
Tuan adjusted the picture until it was square with the table edge below.
Both beams must be square with each other for a safe floor.
Ryan checked each brick was square with the next as he built the wall.
The kitchen counter edge is not square with the cabinets, leaving a small gap.
文法句型
be square with + noun
用法筆記
Commonly followed by 'with' to name the reference surface. Frequently used in construction, carpentry, and DIY contexts. Often paired with words like 'cut', 'align', or 'fit'.
常見錯誤
5. Describing a situation in which two people have paid off all debts to each other
Describing a situation in which two people have paid off all debts to each other, so that neither side owes the other any money.
I paid you back the fifty dollars yesterday, so now we are square.
idiom: be square — no money owed
Once Yumi received the last payment from her colleague, the two of them were square.
You bought dinner last time and I paid tonight, so we are all square.
After splitting the rent and bills, the roommates were finally square with one another.
Caleb sent the transfer this morning, and now our accounts are square for the month.
- outstanding
money that has not yet been paid or settled
- owing
still obligated to pay
文法句型
be square
be all square
用法筆記
Almost always used in the phrase 'be square' or 'be all square' — the adjective does not typically appear before a noun. 'All square' adds emphasis that everything is fully settled.
常見錯誤
6. Describes a match or contest where the two sides hold an equal count of goals, p
Describes a match or contest where the two sides hold an equal count of goals, points, or runs, so that neither is leading the other.
With two minutes left, the teams are still square at two goals each.
idiom: be square — tied score in sports
The match ended square after both sides scored three runs in the final innings.
After the final round, both players were all square with ten points each.
The game was square at half-time, with no clear sign of which side would win.
Darius scored in the last second, making the score square and tying the game.
文法句型
be square
be all square
用法筆記
Almost always used in the phrase 'be square' or 'be all square', never before a noun. 'All square' is especially common in British sports commentary.
常見錯誤
7. positioned so that your body or an object faces directly forward or forms a stra
positioned so that your body or an object faces directly forward or forms a straight line, without leaning or turning to one side
The yoga teacher told Ramón to keep his shoulders square and his back straight.
square shoulders — straight alignment of upper body
Adisa stood square with his opponent on the basketball court, watching every move before the jump ball.
stand square with + person — facing directly
Yuki stood square to the mirror and checked how the new jacket fit.
The soldier stood square to the flagpole during the ceremony, with his back straight and eyes forward.
To show she was paying full attention, Noor turned square to her teacher and nodded at every instruction.
- straight
more general; 'square' adds the idea of being aligned at a correct angle or parallel to something
- aligned
more technical; 'square' specifically means forming a straight line or a right angle with another surface
- level
focuses on horizontal evenness, while 'square' can refer to vertical or horizontal alignment
用法筆記
Often used with 'with' to describe alignment relative to another surface or object. Frequently found in instructions about posture, carpentry, and hanging or placing objects.
8. describes someone who avoids new experiences, follows traditional rules closely,
describes someone who avoids new experiences, follows traditional rules closely, and is seen as boring or old-fashioned especially by younger people
My classmates think I am square because I would rather study on Friday nights.
informal disapproving: think someone is square
Leo calls his parents square because they will not let him use social media.
Faisal wore a black suit to the party and his friends said he looked square.
The film shows a group of teenagers who think every adult over thirty is square.
"Do not be so square!" Élise laughed when her brother refused the spicy noodles.
- old-fashioned
clearer and more neutral than 'square'; less judgmental
- conservative
broader meaning; 'square' is more about personal lifestyle than political views
- strait-laced
similar meaning but focuses more on strict moral standards rather than general boringness
用法筆記
Used mostly by young people in informal contexts. Often carries a joking or teasing tone rather than strong anger. Less common in modern usage than in the mid-20th century but still understood.
常見錯誤
9. treating people honestly and fairly, especially in financial or business matters
treating people honestly and fairly, especially in financial or business matters, without cheating or hiding information
The used-car dealer gave Minh a square price with no extra fees added later.
square price — fair, honest price
Greta promised to give every employee a square deal when she started the company.
square deal — fair and honest arrangement
The two companies signed what both sides called a square agreement.
Jiwoo believes in being square with customers and telling them about any product problems.
Yasmin told the customer about the sofa scratch because she runs a square business.
- fair
more general and common; 'square' adds a slightly old-fashioned, informal feel
- honest
broader meaning that includes truthfulness; 'square' focuses on fair treatment in transactions
- straightforward
emphasises directness and clarity rather than fairness specifically
用法筆記
Common in phrases like 'square deal' and 'square price.' Frequently used in business and commerce contexts. Not typically used for personal relationships — for those, use 'fair' or 'honest' instead.
常見錯誤
square — adverb
1. In a way that follows the rules, without any cheating, lying, or hidden tricks.
In a way that follows the rules, without any cheating, lying, or hidden tricks.
Emre won the chess match fair and square by following all the tournament rules.
fixed phrase: fair and square
The business deal was done fair and square, with both parties signing in front of a lawyer.
Lan expects every player to compete square and treat opponents with respect on the court.
Our team scored the winning goal fair and square, so the other side had no reason to protest.
The auction was run fair and square, and everyone agreed the winner deserved the prize.
- honestly
more general in meaning; not tied to competition or rules
- fairly
overlaps in meaning but 'fair and square' adds emphasis
- by the rules
slightly more formal and literal; used in official contexts
- dishonestly
in a way that involves cheating or lying
- unfairly
giving one side an advantage that is not deserved
文法句型
square + and + adjective (fair and square)
verb + square (deal square, play square)
用法筆記
Most commonly appears in the fixed phrase 'fair and square'. Can also be used alone with verbs like 'play', 'deal', or 'compete' to mean acting honestly.
常見錯誤
2. Positioned so that you are looking directly at someone or something, without any
Positioned so that you are looking directly at someone or something, without any angle or sideways turn.
Aarav looked square at the interviewer and answered every question with confidence.
look square at + person
Yumi turned square to face the judge and explained her side of the story calmly.
The two players stood square to each other, waiting for the referee to blow the whistle.
Christopher stared square at the painting for a full minute before saying a single word.
- sideways
looking at an angle rather than straight on
文法句型
square + at/into + noun phrase
verb + square + prepositional phrase
用法筆記
Common with verbs of looking or facing: 'look square at', 'stare square at', 'turn square to', 'stand square to'. The object is always introduced by a preposition.
常見錯誤
3. In a position that forms a 90-degree angle; arranged so that two surfaces or lin
In a position that forms a 90-degree angle; arranged so that two surfaces or lines meet at an exact corner without any slant.
Antonia cut the timber square so the corners of the frame would fit together perfectly.
cut + object + square (carpentry)
Yael placed the tiles square against the wall before fixing them with strong glue.
The shelf must be set square with the floor, or the books will slide off the edge.
Élise checked that the picture frame hung square to the edge of the table beside it.
- perpendicularly
formal; used in geometry and technical drawing
- at right angles
the full phrase; more explicit than 'square' alone
- diagonally
at a slant rather than a right angle
- obliquely
at an angle that is not 90 degrees
文法句型
square + with/across/to + noun phrase
cut/place/set + object + square
用法筆記
Most common in carpentry, construction, and geometry contexts. Often used with verbs like 'cut', 'set', 'place', or 'lay'. The preposition 'with' introduces the reference surface or line.
常見錯誤
4. Straight to a target without anything in between; hitting or landing exactly at
Straight to a target without anything in between; hitting or landing exactly at the point aimed for.
The ball hit the goalkeeper square in the chest and bounced back into the field.
hit square in the + body part
Aarav threw the dart square at the centre of the board and scored twenty points.
The car's headlights shone square into Eric's eyes as he walked along the dark road.
The strong wind blew the garden gate square off its hinges and onto the wet grass.
- indirectly
arriving by a roundabout path rather than directly
文法句型
square + in/on/at/off + noun phrase
hit/strike/throw + object + square
用法筆記
Distinguish from sense 2 (FACE TO FACE): sense 4 focuses on hitting or reaching a target, while sense 2 focuses on orientation and eye contact. Sense 4 often describes impact or arrival.
常見錯誤
5. In a steady, unmoving way; placed or standing with all weight securely supported
In a steady, unmoving way; placed or standing with all weight securely supported so nothing wobbles or tips.
Antonia stood square in the middle of the stage and began her speech without trembling.
stand square in + place (stable posture)
Keep your feet planted square on the floor when you lift the heavy suitcase.
The old cupboard sat square on the ground despite the uneven stones beneath it.
Élise set the vase square on the table so it would not tip over when people walked past.
- unsteadily
likely to move, wobble, or fall
- loosely
not fixed in position; likely to shift
文法句型
square + on/in + noun phrase
stand/sit/set + object + square
用法筆記
Describes physical stability rather than fairness (sense 1) or angle (sense 3). Common with 'stand', 'sit', 'plant', and 'set'. The subject can be a person or an object.
6. Arranged or cut so that the resulting shape has four equal sides and four right
Arranged or cut so that the resulting shape has four equal sides and four right angles.
Amihan folded the napkin square and placed it neatly at each seat before dinner.
fold + object + square (resultative adverb)
The children cut the coloured paper square to make windows for their model house.
Eric arranged the paving stones square in a simple grid pattern across the patio.
The baker cut the cake square so each piece had the same amount of frosting on top.
- into a square
a phrasal alternative that is more explicit about the outcome
- round
cut or arranged in a circular shape
- diagonally
cut in a slanted line rather than into a square
文法句型
cut/fold/arrange + object + square
用法筆記
Functions as a resultative adverb — it describes the shape that results from the action of the verb. Common with verbs of cutting, folding, and arranging.