Meanings
comparative more symmetric · superlative most symmetric
- Synonym of symmetrical
Synonyms: symmetrical
- mathematicsOf a relation R on a set S, such that xRy if and only if yRx for all members x and y of S (that is, if the relation holds between any element and a second, it also holds between the second and the first).
"Is a sibling of" is a symmetric relation.
- computingUsing the same key (or keys that are trivially related) for both encryption and decryption.
Synonyms & antonyms
adjectiveSynonym of symmetrical
More synonyms by meaning
adjectivehaving similarity in size, shape, and relative position of corresponding parts
Synonym sets from Open English WordNet, CC BY 4.0.
Origin
- Ancient Greekσυμμετρία
- Latinsymmetria
- Englishsymmetric
From symmetry + -ic, from Latin symmetria, from Ancient Greek συμμετρία (summetría).
More words from Latin, Ancient Greek
Full word history & related roots →Translations
French symétrique
- symétriqueof a relation R on a set S, such that xRy if and only if yRx for all members x and y of S
Tagalog parinayo
- parinayoof a relation R on a set S, such that xRy if and only if yRx for all members x and y of S
Rhymes & wordplay
Anagrams
Cite this entry
symmetric. (n.d.). In WatkinsX Dictionary. Retrieved November 4, 2026, from https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/symmetric
“symmetric.” WatkinsX Dictionary, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/symmetric. Accessed November 4, 2026.
WatkinsX Dictionary, s.v. “symmetric,” accessed November 4, 2026, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/symmetric.
Source: symmetric on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.