obtuse angle

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'obtuse angle' is correct and can be used in written English.
You can use it to describe an angle that measures more than 90° and less than 180°. For example, "The shape of the corner of the room formed an obtuse angle."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"It's an outstanding obtuse angle".

The New York Times

These older branches are frequently still alive and well but now emerge at a more obtuse angle.

The New York Times

When closed, the gates meet at an obtuse angle that points upstream in order to resist the water pressure.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The characters included General Jacko, named after a famous performing monkey of the period, also Obtuse Angle, Inflammable Gass the Windfinder, Mrs Nannicantipot and Suction.

The Guardian - Books

Herring is a compellingly bug-eyed growler, existing at an obtuse angle to the big sad synth washes percolating beneath him; on Light House his inflections suggest English as a second language.

The Guardian - Music

If this is disallowed, the hypothesis of the obtuse angle produces a system equivalent to standard spherical geometry, the geometry of figures drawn on the surface of a sphere.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Because it wraps the obtuse angle of Broadway, and then indents along the side street, it calls to mind one of those wobbly dragons held up by a dozen marchers, weaving and bobbing, in a Chinese New Year parade.

The New York Times

Riemann himself pointed out that, merely by calling the geodesics of a sphere "straight lines," the maligned hypothesis of the obtuse angle produces the geometry appropriate to the sphere's surface.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Since the hypothesis of the obtuse angle correctly characterizes Euclidean geometry applied to the surface of a sphere, the non-Euclidean geometry based on it must be exactly as consistent as Euclidean geometry.

Encyclopedia Britannica

A reader must want to thumb through dusty pages, or dustier Web pages, to learn more of Burford's Levellers (New Model Army mutineers), Clock House (in Bromsgrove, Hill's birthplace), Randolph Ash (a character in A. S. Byatt's "Possession"), Quid, Obtuse Angle and Inflammable Gass (all from a manuscript by Blake), and much else.

The New York Times - Books

∠ SP i P j is an obtuse angle (Figure 4). Figure 4 ∠ SP i P j is an obtuse angle.

EURASIP Journal on Wireless Communications and Networking

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing geometric shapes, ensure you accurately identify and label angles, using "obtuse angle" to specifically refer to angles greater than 90 degrees and less than 180 degrees.

Common error

Avoid using "obtuse angle" interchangeably with "acute angle" or "right angle". "Obtuse angle" has a specific meaning and should only be used when the angle's measure falls between 90 and 180 degrees.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "obtuse angle" functions as a noun phrase, specifically identifying a type of angle in geometry. As Ludwig AI confirms, this term is correct and appropriate for describing angles that measure greater than 90 degrees and less than 180 degrees. Examples on Ludwig illustrate its usage in mathematical and descriptive contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

50%

News & Media

23%

Wiki

14%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

9%

Formal & Business

2%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The term "obtuse angle" is a well-established noun phrase used to define an angle measuring between 90 and 180 degrees. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and appropriate usage across various contexts. As demonstrated by the numerous examples found by Ludwig, this phrase is commonly used in scientific, news media, and encyclopedic sources, reflecting its formal and technical nature. While primarily serving a descriptive purpose within geometric contexts, it can also appear metaphorically to describe non-mathematical situations. The most common alternatives describe with other words what an "obtuse angle" is, for example "angle greater than 90 degrees".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

angle greater than 90 degrees

Replaces the specific term with a descriptive explanation of the angle's size.

angle between 90 and 180 degrees

Offers a precise definition using degree measurements.

angle exceeding a right angle

Defines it in relationship to a right angle.

an angle beyond a right angle

Explains it in terms of a right angle.

non-acute angle

Describes the angle by excluding the possibility of it being acute.

wide angle

Uses a more general term to describe an angle that is not acute.

blunt angle

Employs a metaphorical term to describe the visual appearance of an obtuse angle.

obtuse-angled configuration

Focuses on how the obtuse angle affects the overall layout.

obtuse-angled geometry

Highlights the geometry of which obtuse angles are a component.

an angle within the second quadrant

Replaces common term of obtuse angles with its angular location.

FAQs

How is an "obtuse angle" defined in geometry?

In geometry, an "obtuse angle" is defined as an angle that measures greater than 90 degrees and less than 180 degrees.

What are some examples of where "obtuse angles" might be found in everyday life?

"Obtuse angles" can be found in various places, such as the corner of a book slightly ajar, certain roof structures, or in the design of some furniture.

What's the difference between an "acute angle" and an "obtuse angle"?

An "acute angle" measures less than 90 degrees, while an "obtuse angle" measures greater than 90 degrees but less than 180 degrees. A right angle is exactly 90 degrees.

Can a triangle have more than one "obtuse angle"?

No, a triangle can have at most one "obtuse angle". If one angle is obtuse, the other two angles must be acute (less than 90 degrees) to ensure the sum of all angles in the triangle is 180 degrees.