cuboid: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1Technical/Formal
Quick answer
What does “cuboid” mean?
A three-dimensional geometric solid with six rectangular faces.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A three-dimensional geometric solid with six rectangular faces.
1. A bone in the foot (tarsal bone). 2. Shaped like a cube, or nearly cubic.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
In medical/anatomical contexts, 'cuboid' (bone) is standard in both. No significant lexical difference.
Connotations
Neutral technical term in both varieties.
Frequency
Slightly more frequent in British English in general engineering/design contexts (e.g., 'cuboid shape'), but the difference is marginal.
Grammar
How to Use “cuboid” in a Sentence
[be] + cuboid[have] a cuboid + [noun][shape] + into a cuboidVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “cuboid” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- [No standard verb form]
American English
- [No standard verb form]
adverb
British English
- [No standard adverb form]
American English
- [No standard adverb form]
adjective
British English
- The new speaker has a pleasingly cuboid design.
- He stacked the cuboid blocks neatly.
American English
- The building's cuboid form stood out on the skyline.
- She prefers cuboid storage containers.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rare. Might appear in product design or packaging ('a cuboid container').
Academic
Common in mathematics, geometry, physics, engineering, and anatomy.
Everyday
Rare. If used, typically as an adjective ('The phone is quite cuboid').
Technical
Primary register. Precise term in geometry for a specific polyhedron and in anatomy for a foot bone.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “cuboid”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “cuboid”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “cuboid”
- Using 'cube' instead of 'cuboid' for rectangular shapes.
- Pronouncing it as /ˈkuː.bɔɪd/ instead of /ˈkjuː.bɔɪd/.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, in geometry, a cube is a special case of a cuboid where all faces are squares (and thus all edges are equal).
It is one of the seven tarsal bones in the human foot, located on the outer side. Its name derives from its cubical shape.
Yes, but it is relatively formal. In casual speech, people are more likely to say 'box-shaped' or 'like a rectangle'.
In common mathematical usage, there is no difference. 'Rectangular cuboid' and 'rectangular prism' are synonymous.
A three-dimensional geometric solid with six rectangular faces.
Cuboid is usually technical/formal in register.
Cuboid: in British English it is pronounced /ˈkjuː.bɔɪd/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈkjuː.bɔɪd/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “[No common idioms]”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think 'cube' + '-oid' (meaning 'resembling'). A cuboid resembles a cube but with rectangular faces.
Conceptual Metaphor
ORDER IS GEOMETRIC SHAPE (e.g., 'He organized the data into cuboid structures').
Practice
Quiz
Which of the following is NOT a synonym for 'cuboid' (adjective)?