Equilateral is an adjective describing a shape with all sides of equal length. It is used in geometry and related fields to denote regular polygons where each side (and typically each angle) is congruent. The term emphasizes uniformity and symmetry, often contrasted with scalene or isosceles figures.
"In an equilateral triangle, all three sides are the same length."
"The engineer specified an equilateral polygon to ensure uniform stress distribution."
"The professor highlighted that an equilateral triangle has equal sides, but its angles are all 60 degrees."
"For a fair test, arrange the participants in an equilateral seating arrangement so each person has equal sightlines."
Equilateral comes from the Latin prefix equi- meaning ‘equal’ plus later Latin -latus from latus ‘wide, side’ (related to ‘side’). The -angle- sense isn’t explicit in the word itself but is implied by geometry’s focus on equal sides. The term appears in geometric discourse by the 17th–18th centuries as European mathematicians formalized polygon classifications. It paired with scalene (no sides equal) and isosceles (two sides equal) to describe side-length properties. The earliest uses likely occur in mathematical treatises and textbooks that sought precise vocabulary for polygon nomenclature. Over time, equilateral has broadened into any figure with equal-length radii or edges across disciplines, though it remains most common in triangle and polygon contexts. The word’s long-standing precision makes it a staple in geometry and design discussions where symmetry and equality of sides matter.
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💡 These words have similar meanings to "Equilateral" and can often be used interchangeably.
🔄 These words have opposite meanings to "Equilateral" and show contrast in usage.
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Words that rhyme with "Equilateral"
-tal sounds
Practice with these rhyming pairs to improve your pronunciation consistency:
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You pronounce it as /ɪˈkwɪl.ɪˌteɪ.rəl/ (US) or /ɪˈkwɪl.ɪˌteə.rəl/ (UK/AU). The primary stress is on the second syllable: e-QUI-let. The third syllable behaves like a light syllable with a schwa or a reduced vowel, leading into -ral. In careful speech you may hear four clear syllables: e-qui-lete-ral. For speed, you can say i-KWIL-uh-TAY-ruhl in one smooth breath. Audio references: try Cambridge or Oxford dictionaries for native pronunciations.
Common errors: 1) Dropping the second vowel sound, saying ‘e-qui-later-al’ instead of four syllables. 2) Misplacing stress, sounding like ee-QUI-late-eral. 3) Slurring the middle into a single beat. Correction: exaggerate the second syllable with a clear vowel /ˈkwɪl/ and maintain four distinct syllables: i-KWIL-i-TE-rel, with the final -al lightly pronounced. Intake breath before the stressed syllable and use a crisp /ɪ/ in the initial syllable to avoid wrong vowel quality.
Across accents, the primary stress remains on the second syllable, but vowel qualities shift. US tends to use /ɪˈkwɪl.ɪˌteɹ.əl/ with a rhotic final /ɹ/ in some speakers; UK may have non-rhotic tendencies, producing /ɪˈkwɪl.ɪˌteː.rəl/ and a longer /eɪ/ in the final syllable. Australian typically mirrors UK but with flatter vowels and a softer rounding in the first /ɪ/ and a clearer /ɹ/ in the final cluster. Listen to authoritative dictionaries (Cambridge, Oxford) for precise regional variants.
The difficulty lies in the multisyllabic rhythm and the sequence /ɪˈkwɪl.ɪˌteɪ.rəl/, which demands accurate vowel differentiation and stable rhythm. The mid-vowel /ɪ/ blends into /kwɪl/, and the diphthong in /teɪ/ requires controlled jaw movement to avoid a rushed final -ral. Practicing with minimal pairs helps. Breaking into chunks: ei-gwih-LEH-tuh-ruhl, then gradually linking sounds in a smooth chain helps reduce hesitation and improve clarity across dialects.
There are no silent letters in equilateral, but the sequence of vowel sounds can trip you up if you’re not careful. The secondary stress falls on the third syllable in careful speech (e-quil-e-TA-ral) with a subtle secondary rhythm: the -ter- syllable is light. This word benefits from keeping the second syllable strong while letting the following syllables stay quick and lighter. Remember: four crisp syllables with a steady tempo, not one long breath.
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