Well-read · Science & thinking
Orthogonal: meaning, pronunciation and examples
Orthogonal adjective. At right angles to something; figuratively, unrelated to it or independent of it.
How to say it
or-THOG-uh-nul/ɔːˈθɒɡ(ə)n(ə)l/
4 syllables, stressed on the second (THOG).
Orthogonal in a sentence
Whether a film is popular is orthogonal to whether it’s any good.
The two corridors run orthogonal to each other, forming a neat cross.
Similar and opposite
Similar:
- perpendicular
- unrelated
- independent
Opposite:
- parallel
Where orthogonal comes from
From Greek orthogōnios, right-angled, from orthos, straight, and gōnia, angle.
Test yourself
Which word fills the gap?
The two corridors run _____ to each other, forming a neat cross.
- circadian
- heterogeneous
- orthogonal
Show the answer
orthogonal: The two corridors run orthogonal to each other, forming a neat cross.