right angle
Americannoun
noun
-
the angle between two radii of a circle that cut off on the circumference an arc equal in length to one quarter of the circumference; an angle of 90° or π/2 radians
-
perpendicular or perpendicularly
Other Word Forms
- right-angled adjective
Etymology
Origin of right angle
Middle English word dating back to 1350–1400
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Eventually, he found himself on a beach that slanted at just the right angle to make it ideal for napping.
From Literature
Just as vehicles cannot navigate sudden right angle turns at speed, light does not travel efficiently through sharp bends.
From Science Daily
Water must be flowing, skies must be clear and the setting sun must hit at the right angle.
From Los Angeles Times
It was badly bent, with one leg twisted at a right angle to the others.
From Literature
Viewed at the right angle, the piece resembles a giant eye.
From Los Angeles Times
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
