Asymmetrical
/ˌeɪsɪˈmɛtrɪkəl/
adjectiveIntermediate📊CommonGeometry
1 meaning2 questions
Definitions
1
Not having or exhibiting symmetry; lacking balance or proportion.
/ˌeɪsɪˈmɛtrɪkəl/
adjectiveneutralIntermediate
Geometry
Lacking symmetry
The vase had an asymmetrical design.
💡 Simply: Uneven or unbalanced.
More Examples
2
Her face was slightly asymmetrical due to a childhood injury.
How It's Used
Mathematics
"The asymmetrical distribution of the data points made analysis challenging."
Art
"The painting's asymmetrical composition created a sense of dynamism."
From Greek *a-* "not" + *symmetros* "commensurate, proportionate". The word developed through Latin and eventually into modern English.
The word's usage increased significantly with the rise of modern art and scientific studies focusing on patterns and distributions.
Memory tip
Think 'a' for 'not' and 'symmetrical' for balanced; therefore, not balanced.
Word Origin
LanguageGreek
Original meaning
"a- (not) + symmetros (commensurate, proportionate)"
Base: symmetry
asymmetrical designasymmetrical distributionasymmetrical balance
Common misspellings
assymetricalasymmeticalasimetrical
Practice
Usage
20%Spoken
80%Written