Concave
/kɒnˈkeɪv/
adjectiveIntermediateCommonGeneral
Meaning
Questions
Definitions
1
Having a surface or outline that curves inward.
/kɒnˈkeɪv/
adjectiveneutralIntermediate
General
Curving inward
The artist used a concave mirror to create a unique reflection.
💡 Simply: Imagine a bowl – the inside of the bowl is concave, curving inward. Like a shallow dip.
👶 For kids: Curving inward like a bowl.
More Examples
2
The valley's shape was concave.
3
The concave lens helped to correct the person's vision.
How It's Used
Geometry
"The lens was concave, focusing the light."
Anatomy
"The person's chest had a concave shape."
Nature
"The concave surface of the shell held water."
From Latin concavus, meaning 'arched' or 'hollowed out'. It derives from the prefix con- (meaning 'with' or 'together') and cavus (meaning 'hollow').
Used since the early 17th century, the term has been used in scientific and artistic contexts to describe shapes.
Memory tip
Think of a cave – it curves inward.
Practice
Base: cave
concavekoncave
Usage
20%Spoken
80%Written