perfectly spherical

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "perfectly spherical" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe an object that is completely round in shape, with all points on the surface equidistant from the center. Example: "The marble was perfectly spherical, making it ideal for the game."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

After all, the earth isn't perfectly spherical.

The New York Times

"How to make perfectly spherical balls for instance".

The Guardian

Nor was it perfectly spherical, as Aristotelian dogma held would be true for heavenly bodies.

The New York Times

It had been thought that nuclei were always perfectly spherical, although data from particle colliders were beginning to suggest otherwise.

The New York Times

The Sun would apply no torque to the Earth if the Earth were perfectly spherical, but it is not.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Take Milk Duds: the manufacturer considered it a disadvantage that the chocolate-covered caramels weren't perfectly spherical, so they were introduced in 1928 as "duds".

The New York Times - Books

They are said to be the most perfectly spherical objects ever made by humans -- out of round by only 40 layers of atoms.

The New York Times - Science

In recent years, he collaborated with a team of British physicists to study the symmetry of the neutron, searching for evidence that it was not perfectly spherical.

The New York Times

However, the Sun does exert a small torque on the Earth with respect to the planet's centre, owing to the fact that the Earth is not perfectly spherical.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The tourbillon cage of the Diamond MasterGraff Tourbillon rotates on perfectly spherical ceramic ball bearings measuring less than a millimeter in diameter — a technology borrowed from cardiac pacemakers.

The New York Times

"Had He created the Earth perfectly spherical, its axis might have been perpetually shifting by the influence of the other bodies of the system," Jefferson once told Thomson.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing scientific or technical concepts, use "perfectly spherical" to denote an ideal or theoretical shape, acknowledging that real-world objects may only approximate this form. For instance, "In theoretical models, we often assume particles are perfectly spherical to simplify calculations."

Common error

Avoid using "perfectly spherical" in casual conversation or writing where a simpler term like "round" or "spherical" suffices. Overusing technical terms can sound unnatural or pretentious. Instead of saying "The balloon was perfectly spherical", say "The balloon was round."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "perfectly spherical" functions primarily as a descriptive adjective phrase. It modifies nouns to specify a precise and ideal spherical shape. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

62%

News & Media

36%

Encyclopedias

2%

Less common in

Social Media

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "perfectly spherical" is a grammatically correct and frequently used adjective phrase that describes an object with an ideal spherical shape. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is most appropriate in formal, scientific, and technical contexts where precision is valued. While alternatives like "completely round" or "entirely spherical" exist, "perfectly spherical" provides a specific level of detail often needed in scientific or mathematical discussions. Remember to avoid overusing it in informal settings to maintain a natural tone.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

perfectly round

A more common and generally understood term for "perfectly spherical".

absolutely spherical

Intensifies the degree of sphericity.

completely round

Emphasizes overall roundness without necessarily implying mathematical perfection.

entirely spherical

Stresses the comprehensive nature of the spherical form.

ideally spherical

Suggests that the shape conforms to an ideal concept of a sphere.

truly spherical

Indicates authenticity in the sphericity of an object.

flawlessly spherical

Highlights that the sphere's shape is without any imperfections.

uniformly spherical

Focuses on consistency in the roundness of the shape across its entire surface.

mathematically spherical

Highlights the precision and accuracy of the sphere's form, invoking mathematics.

near-perfect sphere

Acknowledges that the shape might not be absolutely perfect but very close.

FAQs

What does "perfectly spherical" mean?

The term "perfectly spherical" describes an object that is a perfect sphere, meaning all points on its surface are equidistant from its center. This is an ideal geometric shape often used in science and mathematics.

When is it appropriate to use the term "perfectly spherical"?

It's appropriate in technical or scientific contexts when describing theoretical models, ideal shapes, or when precision is necessary. In everyday conversation, simpler terms like "round" or "spherical" are often sufficient.

Are there alternatives to "perfectly spherical"?

Yes, alternatives include "completely round", "entirely spherical", or simply "perfectly round" depending on the context and desired level of precision.

How does "perfectly spherical" differ from "spherical"?

"Spherical" generally means resembling a sphere, while "perfectly spherical" implies an exact, mathematically precise sphere. The latter is often used in scientific or technical contexts where precision is important.