triangle: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
HighNeutral; used in everyday, academic, and technical contexts.
Quick answer
What does “triangle” mean?
A polygon with three sides and three angles.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A polygon with three sides and three angles.
Can refer to a percussion instrument, a situation involving three parties (e.g., love triangle), or a symbol in various contexts like music or navigation.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Minimal; pronunciation varies slightly, with British English often having a shorter final syllable.
Connotations
Similar in both varieties; associated with geometry, relationships (e.g., love triangle), or music.
Frequency
Equally common in both British and American English.
Grammar
How to Use “triangle” in a Sentence
in a triangletriangle of forcestriangle with verticesVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “triangle” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- In archaic usage, they might triangle the points for mapping.
American English
- Informally, players triangle the ball in that sport strategy.
adjective
British English
- The triangle pattern on the wallpaper is vintage.
American English
- He bought a triangle table for the corner.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rare; might be used in metaphors like 'triangle of trade' or in diagrammatic representations.
Academic
Common in mathematics, geometry, physics, and music theory.
Everyday
Frequent in describing shapes, interpersonal relationships, or the musical instrument.
Technical
Used in engineering, surveying (via triangulation), and structural design.
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “triangle”
- Mispronouncing as /traɪˈæŋɡl/ with stress on the second syllable.
- Using 'triangle' as a verb instead of 'triangulate'.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
A triangle is a polygon with three edges and three vertices.
British pronunciation often omits the final schwa sound, making it /ˈtraɪæŋɡl/, while American includes it as /ˈtraɪæŋɡəl/.
No, 'triangle' is primarily a noun; the verb form is 'triangulate', though 'triangle' might appear in rare or informal contexts.
Common idioms include 'love triangle', referring to a romantic relationship involving three people, and 'eternal triangle', denoting a persistent three-way conflict.
A polygon with three sides and three angles.
Triangle is usually neutral; used in everyday, academic, and technical contexts. in register.
Triangle: in British English it is pronounced /ˈtraɪæŋɡl/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈtraɪæŋɡəl/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “love triangle”
- “eternal triangle”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of 'tri-' meaning three and 'angle' meaning corner; a triangle has three corners.
Conceptual Metaphor
Often represents stability (e.g., triangle of trust) or conflict (e.g., love triangle).
Practice
Quiz
What is a common extended meaning of 'triangle'?