diagonal

C2 Topic:Describing Qualities

US /ˌdaɪ̯ˈeɪ̯ɡ(ə)nəl/ UK /ˌdaɪ̯ˈæɡ(ə)nəl/ See IPA manual

Freq #34376

Meanings

1

adj
connecting two nonadjacent corners of a plane figure or any two corners of a solid that are not in the same face

A diagonal line across the page.
2

noun
an oblique line of squares of the same color on a checkerboard

The bishop moves on the diagonals.
3

noun
a straight line connecting any two vertices of a polygon that are not adjacent

The child ran in a direct diagonal between the corners of the street, giving everyone a mild shock of panic.
4

adj
Having a slanted or oblique direction.

The visitors' undoing was caused by a diagonal ball from the right which was nodded into the six-yard area by Ian Evatt and finished off by Campbell.

Thesaurus

Synonyms

4 adj · having a slanted or oblique... aslantaslopeslantedslanting sloped sloping

More slash

Opposites

backslash

Word family

Forms diagonally

Derived forms antidiagonalbidiagonalbrachydiagonalclinodiagonalcounterdiagonaldiagonalisationdiagonalitydiagonalizationdiagonalizediagonallydiagonalnessdiagonalwise

Appears in

Phrases (1)

See all

diagonal matrix
a square array of numbers whose entries outside the main diagonal are zero

Adjective + noun

Simplified etymology

Diagonal, recorded in the mid-16th century, is a Greek geometrical formation using dia, “through,” and the element related to gōnia, “angle.”

Etymology

From Middle French diagonal, from Latin diagōnālis, from Ancient Greek διαγώνιος (diagṓnios, “from angle to angle”), from διά (diá, “across”) + γωνία (gōnía, “angle”).

Topics

Describing Qualities Word Formation & Derivatives

External links

# diagonal

**Type:** Word
**Level:** C2
**Part of speech:** adj, noun
**IPA (US):** /ˌdaɪ̯ˈeɪ̯ɡ(ə)nəl/
**IPA (UK):** /ˌdaɪ̯ˈæɡ(ə)nəl/
**Frequency rank:** 34376

## Meanings
1. connecting two nonadjacent corners of a plane figure or any two corners of a solid that are not in the same face
2. an oblique line of squares of the same color on a checkerboard
3. a straight line connecting any two vertices of a polygon that are not adjacent
4. Having a slanted or oblique direction.

## Examples
- A diagonal line across the page.
- The bishop moves on the diagonals.
- The child ran in a direct diagonal between the corners of the street, giving everyone a mild shock of panic.
- The visitors' undoing was caused by a diagonal ball from the right which was nodded into the six-yard area by Ian Evatt and finished off by Campbell.

## Synonyms
- slash

## Antonyms
- backslash

## Derived Forms
- antidiagonal
- bidiagonal
- brachydiagonal
- clinodiagonal
- counterdiagonal
- diagonalisation
- diagonality
- diagonalization
- diagonalize
- diagonally
- diagonalness
- diagonalwise

## Roots and Affixes
- Affix: dia- - through

## Etymology
From Middle French diagonal, from Latin diagōnālis, from Ancient Greek διαγώνιος (diagṓnios, “from angle to angle”), from διά (diá, “across”) + γωνία (gōnía, “angle”).

## Topics
- Describing Qualities
- Word Formation & Derivatives

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