Diagonal Meaning
/daɪ̯ˈæɡ(ə)nəl/Definition, CEFR level B1, pronunciation, examples, and quiz.
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Definition
adjJoining two nonadjacent vertices (of a polygon or polyhedron).
adjHaving slanted or oblique lines or markings.
Sentence Examples
Cut the cloth in a diagonal direction.
This line is diagonal.
Cut the bread into diagonal slices the width of a finger.
Synonyms & Antonyms
Antonyms:
CEFR Practice Quiz
The quilt pattern featured a bold ____ line running from corner to corner.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
Cut the cloth in a ____ direction.
Word Origin & History
From Middle French diagonal, from Latin diagōnālis, from Ancient Greek διαγώνιος (diagṓnios, “from angle to angle”), from διά (diá, “across”) + γωνία (gōnía, “angle”).
Literary Quotations & Historical Citations
"The visitors' undoing was caused by a diagonal ball from the right which was nodded into the six-yard area by Ian Evatt and finished off by Campbell."
— 2011 January 12, Saj Chowdhury, “Liverpool 2 - 1 Liverpool”, in BBC:
"Initial inquiries among professional typists uncover names like slant, slant line, slash, and slash mark. Examination of typing instruction manuals discloses additional names such as diagonal and diagonal mark, and other sources provide the designation oblique."
— 1965, Dmitri A. Borgmann, Language on Vacation, page 240:
Explore More B1 Vocabulary Words
CEFR Practice Quiz
The quilt pattern featured a bold ____ line running from corner to corner.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
Cut the cloth in a ____ direction.