Something that has symmetry is symmetrical in shape, design, or structure.
...the incredible beauty and symmetry of a snowflake.
I loved the house because it had perfect symmetry.
Their own lives already seemed to possess the symmetries of narrative art.
Synonyms: balance, proportion, regularity, form More Synonyms of symmetry
2. uncountable noun
Symmetry in a relationship or agreement is the fact of both sides giving and receiving an equal amount.
The superpowers pledged to maintain symmetry in their arms shipments.
Synonyms: equality, agreement, balance, proportion More Synonyms of symmetry
3. variable noun
You can refer to symmetry between countries, institutions, or situations if you think that there is a close similarity between them.
symmetry in British English
(ˈsɪmɪtrɪ)
nounWord forms: plural-tries
1.
similarity, correspondence, or balance among systems or parts of a system
2. mathematics
an exact correspondence in position or form about a given point, line, or plane
symmetrical (sense 2)
3.
beauty or harmony of form based on a proportionate arrangement of parts
4. physics
the independence of a property with respect to direction; isotropy
Word origin
C16: from Latin symmetria, from Greek summetria proportion, from syn- + metron measure
symmetry in American English
(ˈsɪmətri)
nounWord forms: pluralˈsymmetries
1.
similarity of form or arrangement on either side of a dividing line or plane; correspondence of opposite parts in size, shape, and position; condition of being symmetrical
the whole or the corresponding parts are said to have symmetry
2.
balance or beauty of form or proportion resulting from such correspondence
SYNONYMY NOTE: symmetry, with reference to the interrelation of parts to form an aesthetically pleasing whole,strictly implies correspondence in the form, size, arrangement, etc. of parts on eitherside of a median line or plane; , proportion implies a gracefulness that results from the measured fitness in size or arrangementof parts to each other or to the whole; , harmony implies such agreement or proportionate arrangement of parts in size, color, form,etc. as to make a pleasing impression; , balance suggests the offsetting or contrasting of parts so as to produce an aesthetic equilibriumin the whole
Word origin
< MFr or L: MFr symmetrie (now symétrie) < L symmetria < Gr < symmetros, measured together < syn-, together + metron, a measure
Examples of 'symmetry' in a sentence
symmetry
You have to have perfect symmetry to be one of those women.
Times, Sunday Times (2015)
What can we make of this fearful symmetry?
Times, Sunday Times (2006)
There is a certain symmetry about his recall.
Times, Sunday Times (2007)
There is a pleasing symmetry to the preparation of this dish.
Times, Sunday Times (2014)
The perfect symmetry of the first six songs is knocked off balance by the last three.
Times, Sunday Times (2015)
There is a fearful symmetry to the world.
Times, Sunday Times (2008)
There is a certain historical symmetry in the retention of such people.
Times, Sunday Times (2007)
There is a pleasing symmetry to it.
Times, Sunday Times (2008)
It is about the almost perfect symmetry between his two feet.
Times, Sunday Times (2014)
There is a certain awful symmetry about it.
Times, Sunday Times (2006)
There is a pleasing symmetry to cooking the dish.
Times, Sunday Times (2008)
They say that beauty is symmetry.
Times, Sunday Times (2014)
It would also be neat symmetry.
Times, Sunday Times (2014)
There is a nice symmetry there.
Times, Sunday Times (2011)
There's got to be a symmetry and a balance.
Times, Sunday Times (2015)
Balance is harmony and symmetry: forces that are equally opposed.
Freeman, Michael Collins Complete Guide to Photography (1993)
There is a neat symmetry to the life of Burmese monks.
Times, Sunday Times (2007)
The big male was with us for less than a minute before he turned and his fearful symmetry was lost to the trees.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
I then took the folded piece and folded it again along its line of symmetry.
Times, Sunday Times (2014)
Two strands of thread are crossed over the desired area and pulled taut, cutting the hairs in perfect symmetry.
The Sun (2011)
Could frame thy fearful symmetry?
Tracy Chevalier Burning Bright (2007)
There was a neat symmetry about their opening play as within 10 minutes they were already in front with the simplest of moves.
Times, Sunday Times (2007)
In other languages
symmetry
British English: symmetry NOUN
Something that has symmetry is symmetrical in shape, design, or structure.
...the incredible beauty and symmetry of a snowflake.
American English: symmetry
Brazilian Portuguese: simetria
Chinese: 对称
European Spanish: simetría
French: symétrie
German: Symmetrie
Italian: simmetria
Japanese: 対称
Korean: 대칭
European Portuguese: simetria
Latin American Spanish: simetría
All related terms of 'symmetry'
skew symmetry
symmetry of top left with bottom right , and top right with bottom left
mirror symmetry
symmetry about a plane ( mirror plane ) that divides the object or system into two mutual mirror images
radial symmetry
a type of structure of an organism or part of an organism in which a vertical cut through the axis in any of two or more planes produces two halves that are mirror images of each other
bilateral symmetry
the property of an organism or part of an organism such that, if cut in only one plane , the two cut halves are mirror images of each other
point group
any of 32 possible types of crystals , classified according to their rotational symmetry about axes through a point
Chinese translation of 'symmetry'
symmetry
(ˈsɪmɪtrɪ)
n(c/u)
对(對)称(稱)性 (duìchènxìng)
1 (noun)
Definition
beauty resulting from a balanced arrangement of parts
the incredible beauty and symmetry of a snowflake
Synonyms
balance
The medicines you are currently taking could be affecting your balance.
proportion
regularity
form
the sustained narrative form of the novel
order
The wish to impose order upon confusion is a kind of intellectual instinct.
harmony
the ordered harmony of the universe
correspondence
correspondences between Eastern religions and Christianity
evenness
2 (noun)
Definition
the state of having two halves that are mirror images of each other
The superpowers pledged to maintain symmetry in their arms shipments.
Synonyms
equality
They advocate the unconditional equality of incomes.
agreement
The talks ended in acrimony rather than agreement.
balance
her ability to maintain the political balance
proportion
an artist with a special feel for colour and proportion
coordination
concord
A climate of concord and tolerance prevails among the two communities.
Additional synonyms
in the sense of agreement
Definition
the act or state of agreeing
The talks ended in acrimony rather than agreement.
Synonyms
concurrence,
harmony,
compliance,
union,
agreeing,
concession,
consent,
unison,
assent,
concord,
acquiescence
in the sense of concord
Definition
peaceful relations between nations
A climate of concord and tolerance prevails among the two communities.
Synonyms
harmony,
accord,
peace,
agreement,
concert,
friendship,
consensus,
goodwill,
unison,
good understanding,
rapport,
unanimity,
amity (formal),
consonance
in the sense of correspondence
Definition
relationship or similarity
correspondences between Eastern religions and Christianity
Synonyms
relation,
match,
agreement,
fitness,
comparison,
harmony,
coincidence,
similarity,
analogy,
correlation,
conformity,
comparability,
concurrence,
congruity
Nearby words of
symmetry
symbolic
symbolize
symmetrical
symmetry
sympathetic
sympathetically
sympathize with
Synonyms of 'symmetry'
symmetry
Explore 'symmetry' in the dictionary
Additional synonyms
in the sense of form
Definition
the structure and arrangement of a work of art or piece of writing as distinguished from its content
the sustained narrative form of the novel
Synonyms
structure,
plan,
order,
organization,
arrangement,
construction,
proportion,
format,
framework,
harmony,
symmetry,
orderliness
in the sense of harmony
Definition
the way parts combine well together or into a whole
the ordered harmony of the universe
Synonyms
balance,
consistency,
fitness,
correspondence,
coordination,
symmetry,
compatibility,
suitability,
concord,
parallelism,
consonance (formal),
congruity
in the sense of order
Definition
a state in which everything is arranged logically, comprehensibly, or naturally
The wish to impose order upon confusion is a kind of intellectual instinct.
Synonyms
organization,
system,
method,
plan,
pattern,
arrangement,
harmony,
symmetry,
regularity,
propriety,
neatness,
tidiness,
orderliness
in the sense of proportion
Definition
correct relationship between parts
an artist with a special feel for colour and proportion