Concentric Meaning
/kəˈnsɛntrɪk/Definition, CEFR level B2, pronunciation, examples, and quiz.
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Definition
adjHaving a common center.
adjOf a motion, in the direction of contraction of a muscle. (e.g. the extension of the lower arm by means of the elbow joint while contracting the triceps and other elbow extensor muscles; closing of the jaw while flexing the masseter).
Sentence Examples
Draw two concentric circles of differing diameters.
I want you to draw five concentric circles now.
Synonyms & Antonyms
Synonyms:
None
Antonyms:
CEFR Practice Quiz
The archery target has ____ circles radiating from the bullseye.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
When you throw a tiny rock into the pond, it forms ____ ripples.
Word Origin & History
From Middle English concentrik, from Middle French concentrique, from Medieval Latin concentricus, from Latin con- (“with, together”) + centrum (“circle, center”). Equivalent to con- + -centric. By surface analysis, con- + centre + -ic.
Literary Quotations & Historical Citations
"Seven huge concentric semi-circular rings of stone surround the northern end, and quite rightly are Grade 2-listed by conservation body Historic England."
— 2020 August 26, Tim Dunn, “Great railway bores of our time!”, in Rail, page 45:
"The ordo amoris can be conceptualized as a series of concentric circles radiating outward from ourselves, beginning with loving God, who is, as Augustine put it, “closer to us than we are to ourselves,” and ending with loving the rest of the world outside our own country."
— 2025 February 11, Richard Clements, “First, Love Locally: JD Vance and ‘Ordo Amoris’”, in Word on Fire, archived from the original on 15 Feb 2025:
Explore More B2 Vocabulary Words
CEFR Practice Quiz
The archery target has ____ circles radiating from the bullseye.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
When you throw a tiny rock into the pond, it forms ____ ripples.