symmetry

USAGE SUMMARY

The word 'symmetry' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe when two sides of something are exactly the same. Example: The bridge has a beautiful symmetry, with each side perfectly mirroring the other.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

It threatened to destroy the symmetry and sanctity of the Premier League itself, where teams play each other home and away in a perfect round robin of 38 contests.

The Guardian - Sport

There is a perfect symmetry, of course, between all of this and establishing a school at Kabulwarnamyo.

The Guardian

But at other times, the film has the still symmetry of an Edward Hopper.

The Guardian - Film

He tries to look for strong inviting subjects that catch the viewer's attention: "often these are roads, railway tracks, silhouettes, patterns or symmetry".

The Guardian

It is true the symmetry has been damaged a little: it is no longer Cristiano Ronaldo, Bale and James Rodríguez versus Lionel Messi, Neymar and Luis Suárez, parallel players in parallel forward lines.

The Guardian - Sport

There is even a certain symmetry in Tory relations with City buccaneers.

The Guardian - Opinion

Kapoor is an artist who defies the classical rules of symmetry and order that prevail at Versailles: an artist of carnal mayhem and rollicking cosmic comedy.

The Guardian - Arts

There is a horrible symmetry to the gun legislation debate taking place in the Senate under the pall cast by the Boston Marathon bombings.

The Guardian - Opinion

There is a symmetry to the journey that returnees are making, which speaks volumes about the state of Africa today.

The Guardian

FOR once it was no metaphor but the real thing a perfect storm in terms of its sheer size, its circular symmetry and the tightness of its eye.

The Economist

In neat symmetry with his PMQs opponent, Ed Miliband runs his party by swaying uncertainly between the two philosophies.From his cosmopolitan perch, your correspondent can but offer two bits of advice.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "symmetry" to describe exact correspondence and balanced distribution in various contexts, from art and design to mathematics and social dynamics.

Common error

Avoid using "symmetry" when the situation involves mere similarity or balance without exact correspondence. "Balance" or "harmony" may be more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The word "symmetry" primarily functions as a noun, denoting the exact correspondence or balanced distribution of elements. As confirmed by Ludwig, it signifies a state of equilibrium or mirroring. It can also describe the property of remaining unchanged under certain transformations.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

35%

Science

30%

Formal & Business

15%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

10%

Reference

5%

Wiki

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "symmetry" is a grammatically correct and very common noun used to describe exact correspondence or balanced distribution. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and broad applicability. It appears frequently in news, science, and formal contexts, highlighting its relevance across various domains. While "balance", "proportion", and "correspondence" offer related meanings, "symmetry" specifically denotes exact mirroring or invariance under transformations. When writing, ensure "symmetry" is used only when describing precise correspondence, differentiating it from more general concepts of balance or harmony.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

balance

Focuses on the equilibrium of elements rather than exact correspondence.

proportion

Emphasizes the harmonious relationship between parts of a whole.

correspondence

Highlights the similarity or analogy between different elements.

regularity

Stresses the consistent pattern or arrangement.

evenness

Suggests a uniform or level distribution.

equivalence

Implies equal value or significance on either side.

harmony

Conveys a pleasing or congruent arrangement.

congruence

Highlights the agreement or compatibility between elements.

sameness

Focuses on the identical nature of elements.

mirror image

Specifically refers to a reversed duplication.

FAQs

How is "symmetry" used in mathematics?

In mathematics, "symmetry" refers to transformations that leave an object unchanged, such as rotations, reflections, or translations. It's a fundamental concept in geometry and algebra.

What's the difference between "symmetry" and "balance"?

"Symmetry" implies an exact correspondence between two halves, while "balance" suggests a more general equilibrium or harmonious arrangement, even without perfect mirroring.

How can I identify "symmetry" in nature?

"Symmetry" in nature is often found in patterns like bilateral symmetry (e.g., butterflies) or radial symmetry (e.g., starfish). Look for mirroring or repeating elements around a central point or axis.

What are some common examples of "symmetry" in design?

Common examples include architectural facades with mirrored sides, logos that are rotationally symmetrical, and patterns in textiles that repeat symmetrically.