perfectly round

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "perfectly round" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to refer to something that is perfectly shaped like a circle, such as a ball or a ring. For example, "The ring was perfectly round, with no bumps or ridges."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Lobs create perfectly round spots.

The New York Times - Sports

"The hole is perfectly round".

The New York Times

The holes are perfectly round and black.

The Guardian - Tech

It doesn't need to be perfectly round.

The New York Times - Food

The earth is not perfectly round, of course.

The New York Times

He is wearing black-rimmed, perfectly round spectacles like goggles.

The Guardian - Books

They're ideal for creating perfectly round cookies, too.

The Washington Post

This particular girl has a flat, almost perfectly round face.

The New Yorker

It should be noted that Skittles are not perfectly round and vary slightly in size.

Cornell University

And let's also make our egg perfectly symmetric and perfectly round.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

When the balls arrived, they were perfectly round, which caused some confusion.

Princeton University

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "perfectly round" when describing objects where the precision of circularity is important. For example, in technical specifications or scientific descriptions where accuracy is key.

Common error

Avoid using "perfectly round" in situations where approximate roundness is sufficient. Describing a cookie as "perfectly round" might sound unnatural; "round" or "circular" may be more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "perfectly round" primarily functions as a descriptive adjective phrase. According to Ludwig, it is used to describe something that has the shape of a circle with high precision. The provided examples illustrate its use in various contexts to emphasize the accurate circular shape of an object.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

39%

Wiki

29%

Academia

18%

Less common in

Science

9%

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "perfectly round" is a grammatically correct and very common adjective phrase used to describe something with a precise circular shape. According to Ludwig, it is appropriate for both technical and general contexts, though overuse in casual situations should be avoided. The phrase appears frequently in News & Media, Wiki and Academic sources. While alternatives like "precisely circular" and "absolutely spherical" exist, the choice depends on the specific context and desired level of precision.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

precisely circular

Emphasizes exactness in circularity, suitable for technical contexts.

absolutely spherical

Highlights three-dimensionality and perfection in roundness.

perfectly circular

Synonymous, but with focus on the two-dimensional shape.

uniformly round

Stresses consistency in roundness across the object.

flawlessly circular

Highlights the absence of imperfections in the circular shape.

round without deviation

A more descriptive and emphatic way to state perfect roundness.

true circle

Emphasizes adherence to the mathematical definition of a circle.

geometrically round

Implies measurement and precision in achieving roundness.

completely circular

Synonymous, with focus on totality of circular shape.

accurately round

Focuses on the precision and correctness of the round shape.

FAQs

How can I use "perfectly round" in a sentence?

You can use "perfectly round" to describe objects that are exactly circular, such as "The scientist examined the "perfectly round cell" under the microscope" or "The artist aimed to create a "perfectly round sculpture"".

What is a good alternative to "perfectly round"?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives like "precisely circular", "absolutely spherical", or simply "circular".

When is it appropriate to use "perfectly round" instead of "round"?

Use "perfectly round" when the precision and accuracy of the circular shape are important. If approximate roundness is sufficient, "round" is usually adequate. For example, you say "round table" but you may say "perfectly round lens".

Is there a technical difference between "perfectly round" and "perfectly circular"?

"Perfectly round" is generally used for three-dimensional objects (spheres), while "perfectly circular" is for two-dimensional shapes (circles). However, in common usage, the terms are often interchangeable.