viereck
HighNeutral/Formal for geometric sense; Informal/Slang for 'unfashionable' sense.
Definition
Meaning
A flat shape with four straight sides of equal length and four right angles.
A person or thing considered old-fashioned, conventional, or uninteresting (slang). A public open space in a town or city, typically of a regular shape. The result of multiplying a number by itself.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
As a shape, 'square' is a hypernym for 'rectangle'. In slang, it is often derogatory. The mathematical sense is distinct. The 'public space' sense is often part of a proper name (e.g., Trafalgar Square).
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Slang use for 'unfashionable' person is common in both. 'Town square' often simply called 'the square' in both. Minor spelling differences (metre/centre vs meter/center) when used in compounds.
Connotations
Similar connotations across regions for all senses.
Frequency
All core senses are equally frequent in both varieties.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
[square] + [of + NOUN] (a square of cloth)[BE] + [square] (The room is square.)[square] + [NOUN] (a square box)[square] + [up] (Let's square up the bill.)Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “Back to square one”
- “A square deal”
- “A square meal”
- “Fair and square”
- “Square peg in a round hole”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
To 'square an account' means to settle it. 'Square deal' means a fair transaction.
Academic
Used in geometry, mathematics (square numbers, square root), and urban planning.
Everyday
Describing shape, area (square feet), a person (slang), or a public space.
Technical
Precise geometric/ mathematical term; in engineering for 'squareness' (perpendicularity).
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- We need to square our expenses with the finance department.
- His story doesn't square with the facts.
American English
- I'll square the bill with you later.
- She tried to square her actions with her beliefs.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- Draw a red square on the paper.
- The market is in the town square.
- The carpet covers an area of twenty square metres.
- Let's meet in the main square at noon.
- The new evidence doesn't square with the original witness statement.
- He's a bit square, but he's very reliable.
- The treaty was an attempt to square the circle between the two opposing ideologies.
- The architect ensured all corners were perfectly square before proceeding.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
SQUARE has four letters, and a square has four equal sides.
Conceptual Metaphor
MORALITY/FAIRNESS IS STRAIGHTNESS/SQUARENESS (e.g., 'fair and square', 'square deal'). CONVENTIONALITY IS ANGULAR/RIGID (vs. 'being cool/rounded').
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Avoid directly translating Russian 'площадь' only as 'square'—it can also mean 'area' or 'space' in size/measurement contexts.
- The slang meaning ('зануда', 'правильный') is a false friend; it does not mean 'honest' in that informal context.
Common Mistakes
- Using 'square' for all rectangles (a square is a specific type of rectangle).
- Confusing 'square' (shape) with 'squire' (title/landowner).
Practice
Quiz
In informal slang, calling someone a 'square' suggests they are:
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes. A square is a special type of rectangle where all four sides are equal.
Both are open public spaces. 'Square' (or 'town square') often implies a historic, formal space, often rectangular. 'Plaza' is a Spanish-origin term, common in American English, for a similar open area or shopping complex.
Yes. It can mean to make something square in shape, to settle a bill or debt, or to make two ideas or facts consistent with each other.
It describes a person who is unsuitable for or does not fit into a particular role or situation.