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Added 9 October 2026

diagonal

/daɪ̯ˈæɡ(ə)nəl/ noun

Categories: Describing WordsSocietyUncommon Words

In Latin: diagonalis, diagonios Wiktionary

noun Definition from WordNet 3.1, Princeton University. Pronunciation from Wiktionary, via Kaikki.org. More about diagonal at Wordnik → Where our words come from →

  1. (geometry) a straight line connecting any two vertices of a polygon that are not adjacent.
  2. A line or cut across a fabric that is not at right angles to a side of the fabric.
  3. An oblique line of squares of the same color on a checkerboard.
    the bishop moves on the diagonals

adjective

  1. 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. Having an oblique or slanted direction.

Origin

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

From Wiktionary, via Kaikki.org (CC BY-SA)

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