Round vs. Spherical: Know the Difference
By Shumaila Saeed || Updated on December 25, 2023
"Round" describes a shape that is curved or circular in nature, while "spherical" specifically refers to a perfect 3D shape like a ball or globe.
Key Differences
"Round" generally refers to a shape that is circular or curved, not necessarily perfectly symmetrical. It's often used to describe 2D shapes like circles or curved lines. On the other hand, "spherical" specifically describes a three-dimensional shape that is perfectly round in all directions, like a globe.
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Nov 28, 2023
While "round" can be applied to objects that are circular but not perfectly symmetrical (like a round table or a round face), "spherical" denotes a uniform shape in all dimensions, akin to a sphere or ball. This means all points on the surface are equidistant from the center.
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"Round" can also be used in a more abstract or metaphorical sense, such as in phrases like "round of applause" or "round trip," where it implies completeness or returning to the starting point. In contrast, "spherical" is typically used in more literal, geometric contexts.
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In terms of geometry, "round" can describe shapes that approximate a circle or sphere but do not meet the strict criteria of uniformity. However, "spherical" is reserved for shapes that adhere to the precise definition of a sphere, with consistent curvature and symmetry.
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"Round" is a broader term that can apply to various objects and concepts, whereas "spherical" is more specific and technical, often used in scientific and mathematical contexts to describe a perfect sphere.
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Nov 28, 2023
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Comparison Chart
Dimensionality
Can refer to both 2D and 3D shapes
Specifically refers to 3D shapes
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Symmetry
Not necessarily symmetrical
Uniformly symmetrical in all directions
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Usage
Broader use, including abstract concepts
Primarily used in geometric, scientific contexts
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Shape Precision
Can be approximations of circles or spheres
Strictly defines a perfect sphere
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Round and Spherical Definitions
Round
Round can also mean full or complete.
They gave him a round of applause.
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Spherical
Shaped like a sphere, having a round shape in three dimensions.
The planet Earth is not perfectly spherical.
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Round
Being such that every part of the surface or the circumference is equidistant from the center
A round ball.
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Spherical
Pertaining to the properties or measurements of spheres.
The scientist calculated the spherical volume.
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Spherical
Relating to or resembling a sphere.
They hung spherical ornaments on the Christmas tree.
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Spherical
In geometry, a shape perfectly round in all directions.
A spherical object has all points on its surface equidistant from its center.
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Spherical
Spherical can also refer to something globe-like or ball-shaped.
The lampshade had a unique spherical design.
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Round
(Linguistics) Formed or articulated with the lips in a rounded shape
A round vowel.
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Round
Not exact, especially when expressed as a multiple of 10; approximate
A round estimate.
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Spherical
(mathematics) Of a coordinate system, specifying the location of a point in a plane by using a radius and two angles.
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Spherical
(astrology) Of or relating to the heavenly orbs, or to the sphere or spheres in which, according to ancient astronomy and astrology, they were set.
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Spherical
Having the form of a sphere; like a sphere; globular; orbicular; as, a spherical body.
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Spherical
Of or pertaining to the heavenly orbs, or to the sphere or spheres in which, according to ancient astronomy and astrology, they were set.
Knaves, thieves, and treachers by spherical predominance.
Though the stars were suns, and overburnedTheir spheric limitations.
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Spherical
Of or relating to spheres or resembling a sphere;
Spherical geometry
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Spherical
Having the shape of a sphere or ball;
A spherical object
Nearly orbicular in shape
Little globular houses like mud-wasp nests
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Round
A cut of beef from the part of the thigh between the rump and the shank.
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Round
A complete course, succession, or series
A round of parties.
A round of negotiations.
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Round
Often rounds A course of customary or prescribed actions, duties, or places
Physicians' rounds.
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Round
One drink for each person in a gathering or group
Let me buy the next round.
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Round
A specified number of arrows shot from a specified distance to a target in archery.
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Round
Sports & Games A unit of play that occupies a specified time, constitutes a certain number of plays, or allows each player a turn, especially the 18-hole sequence played in golf or one of the periods in a boxing match.
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Oct 19, 2023
Round
(Music) A composition for two or more voices in which each voice enters at a different time with the same melody.
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Round
To make round or curved
Rounded his lips in surprise.
Rounded off the end of the board.
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Round
To bring to completion or perfection; finish. Often used with out or off
The new dog rounded out our household. The speaker rounded off his lecture with a joke.
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Round
(Mathematics) To approximate (a real number) by a nearby rational number with a specified level of precision. When rounded to the nearest hundred, 286 becomes 300. When rounded to the nearest tenth, 1.63 becomes 1.6.
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Round
To make a turn about or to the other side of
Rounded a bend in the road.
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Round
To make a complete circuit of; go or pass around
Rounded the entire peninsula.
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Round
To take a circular course; complete or partially complete a circuit
Racecars rounding into the final lap.
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Round
To develop into satisfactory completion or perfection
Is rounding into a fine quarterback.
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Round
To a specific place or person
Called round for the pastor.
Sent round for the veterinarian.
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Round
From the beginning to the end of; throughout
A plant that grows round the year.
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Round
Circular or cylindrical; having a circular cross-section in one direction.
We sat at a round table to make conversation easier.
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Round
Spherical; shaped like a ball; having a circular cross-section in more than one direction.
The ancient Egyptian demonstrated that the Earth is round, not flat.
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Round
Lacking sharp angles; having gentle curves.
Our child's bed has round corners for safety.
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Round
(of a number) Convenient for rounding other numbers to; for example, ending in a zero.
One hundred is a nice round number.
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Round
Outspoken; plain and direct; unreserved; not mincing.
A round answer; a round oath
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Round
Finished; polished; not defective or abrupt; said of authors or their writing style.
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Round
Well-written and well-characterized; complex and reminiscent of a real person.
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Round
A circular or repetitious route.
Hospital rounds
The prison guards have started their nightly rounds.
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Round
A general outburst from a group of people at an event.
The candidate got a round of applause after every sentence or two.
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Round
A song that is sung by groups of people with each subset of people starting at a different time.
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Round
A serving of something; a portion of something to each person in a group.
They brought us a round of drinks about every thirty minutes.
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Round
(art) A long-bristled, circular-headed paintbrush used in oil and acrylic painting.
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Oct 19, 2023
Round
A firearm cartridge, bullet, or any individual ammunition projectile. Originally referring to the spherical projectile ball of a smoothbore firearm. Compare round shot and solid shot.
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Oct 19, 2023
Round
(sports) One of the specified pre-determined segments of the total time of a sport event, such as a boxing or wrestling match, during which contestants compete before being signaled to stop.
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Round
(sports) A stage in a competition.
Qualifying rounds of the championship
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Round
(sports) In some sports, e.g. golf or showjumping: one complete way around the course.
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Round
A rounded relief or cut at an edge, especially an outside edge, added for a finished appearance and to soften sharp edges.
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Round
A strip of material with a circular face that covers an edge, gap, or crevice for decorative, sanitary, or security purposes.
All furniture in the nursery had rounds on the edges and in the crevices.
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Oct 19, 2023
Round
A series of changes or events ending where it began; a series of like events recurring in continuance; a cycle; a periodical revolution.
The round of the seasons
A round of pleasures
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Oct 19, 2023
Round
A course of action or conduct performed by a number of persons in turn, or one after another, as if seated in a circle.
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Oct 19, 2023
Round
A series of duties or tasks which must be performed in turn, and then repeated.
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Oct 19, 2023
Round
A general discharge of firearms by a body of troops in which each soldier fires once.
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Oct 19, 2023
Round
A brewer's vessel in which the fermentation is concluded, the yeast escaping through the bunghole.
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Oct 19, 2023
Round
Alternative form of around
I look round the room quickly to make sure it's neat.
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Oct 19, 2023
Round
(transitive) To shape something into a curve.
The carpenter rounded the edges of the table.
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Oct 19, 2023
Round
(with "out") To finish; to complete; to fill out.
She rounded out her education with only a single mathematics class.
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Round
(intransitive) To approximate a number, especially a decimal number by the closest whole number.
Ninety-five rounds up to one hundred.
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Round
(transitive) To turn past a boundary.
Helen watched him until he rounded the corner.
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Oct 19, 2023
Round
(intransitive) To turn and attack someone or something (used with on).
As a group of policemen went past him, one of them rounded on him, grabbing him by the arm.
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Round
To advance to home plate.
And the runners round the bases on the double by Jones.
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Round
To grow round or full; hence, to attain to fullness, completeness, or perfection.
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Round
To whisper.
The Bishop of Glasgow rounding in his ear, "Ye are not a wise man," . . . he rounded likewise to the bishop, and said, "Wherefore brought ye me here?"
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Round
To make circular, spherical, or cylindrical; to give a round or convex figure to; as, to round a silver coin; to round the edges of anything.
Worms with many feet, which round themselves into balls, are bred chiefly under logs of timber.
The figures on our modern medals are raised and rounded to a very great perfection.
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Oct 19, 2023
Round
To surround; to encircle; to encompass.
The inclusive vergeOf golden metal that must round my brow.
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Oct 19, 2023
Round
To bring to fullness or completeness; to complete; hence, to bring to a fit conclusion.
We are such stuffAs dreams are made on, and our little lifeIs rounded with a sleep.
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Oct 19, 2023
Round
To go round wholly or in part; to go about (a corner or point); as, to round a corner; to round Cape Horn.
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Oct 19, 2023
Round
To grow round or full; hence, to attain to fullness, completeness, or perfection.
The queen your mother rounds apace.
So rounds he to a separate mind,From whence clear memory may begin.
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Oct 19, 2023
Round
Having every portion of the surface or of the circumference equally distant from the center; spherical; circular; having a form approaching a spherical or a circular shape; orbicular; globular; as, a round ball.
Upon the firm opacous globeOf this round world.
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Oct 19, 2023
Round
Having the form of a cylinder; cylindrical; as, the barrel of a musket is round.
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Round
Having a curved outline or form; especially, one like the arc of a circle or an ellipse, or a portion of the surface of a sphere; rotund; bulging; protuberant; not angular or pointed; as, a round arch; round hills.
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Oct 19, 2023
Round
Full; complete; not broken; not fractional; approximately in even units, tens, hundreds, thousands, etc.; - said of numbers.
Pliny put a round number near the truth, rather than the fraction.
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Oct 19, 2023
Round
Not inconsiderable; large; hence, generous; free; as, a round price.
Three thousand ducats; 'tis a good round sum.
Round was their pace at first, but slackened soon.
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Oct 19, 2023
Round
Uttered or emitted with a full tone; as, a round voice; a round note.
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Oct 19, 2023
Round
Modified, as a vowel, by contraction of the lip opening, making the opening more or less round in shape; rounded; labialized; labial. See Guide to Pronunciation, 11.
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Oct 19, 2023
Round
Outspoken; plain and direct; unreserved; unqualified; not mincing; as, a round answer; a round oath.
Sir Toby, I must be round with you.
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Round
Full and smoothly expanded; not defective or abrupt; finished; polished; - said of style, or of authors with reference to their style.
In his satires Horace is quick, round, and pleasant.
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Oct 19, 2023
Round
Complete and consistent; fair; just; - applied to conduct.
Round dealing is the honor of man's nature.
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Oct 19, 2023
Round
Anything round, as a circle, a globe, a ring. "The golden round" [the crown].
In labyrinth of many a round self-rolled.
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Oct 19, 2023
Round
A series of changes or events ending where it began; a series of like events recurring in continuance; a cycle; a periodical revolution; as, the round of the seasons; a round of pleasures.
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Oct 19, 2023
Round
A course ending where it began; a circuit; a beat; especially, one freguently or regulary traversed; also, the act of traversing a circuit; as, a watchman's round; the rounds of the postman.
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Oct 19, 2023
Round
A series of duties or tasks which must be performed in turn, and then repeated.
The trivial round, the common task.
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Round
One work cycle, consisting of drilling blast holes, loading them with explosive, blasting, mucking out, and, if necessary, installing temporary support.
. . . Inco is still much more advanced than other mining companies. He says that the LKAB mine in Sweden is the closest rival. He predicts that, by 2008, Inco can reach a new productivity plateau, doubling the current mining productivity from 3,350 tonnes to 6,350 tonnes per person per year. Another aim is to triple the mine cycle rate (the time to drill, blast and muck a round) from one cycle to three complete cycles per 24 hours.
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Oct 19, 2023
Round
A course of action or conduct performed by a number of persons in turn, or one after another, as if seated in a circle.
Women to cards may be compared: we playA round or two; which used, we throw away.
The feast was served; the bowl was crowned;To the king's pleasure went the mirthful round.
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Oct 19, 2023
Round
A complete set of plays in a game or contest covering a standard number of individual plays or parts; as, a round of golf; a round of tennis.
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Round
The time during which prize fighters or boxers are in actual contest without an intermission, as prescribed by their rules; a bout.
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Round
A circular dance.
Come, knit hands, and beat the ground,In a light fantastic round.
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Round
That which goes round a whole circle or company; as, a round of applause.
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Round
The step of a ladder; a rundle or rung; also, a crosspiece which joins and braces the legs of a chair.
All the rounds like Jacob's ladder rise.
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Oct 19, 2023
Round
A walk performed by a guard or an officer round the rampart of a garrison, or among sentinels, to see that the sentinels are faithful and all things safe; also, the guard or officer, with his attendants, who performs this duty; - usually in the plural.
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Oct 19, 2023
Round
A short vocal piece, resembling a catch in which three or four voices follow each other round in a species of canon in the unison.
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Oct 19, 2023
Round
A brewer's vessel in which the fermentation is concluded, the yeast escaping through the bunghole.
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Oct 19, 2023
Round
A vessel filled, as for drinking; as, to drink a round od ale together.
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Oct 19, 2023
Round
Same as Round of beef, below.
Worm-eaten gentlemen of the round, such as have vowed to sit on the skirts of the city, let your provost and his half dozen of halberdiers do what they can.
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Oct 19, 2023
Round
Circularly; in a circular form or manner; by revolving or reversing one's position; as, to turn one's head round; a wheel turns round.
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Oct 19, 2023
Round
From one side or party to another; as to come or turn round, - that is, to change sides or opinions.
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Round
By or in a circuit; by a course longer than the direct course; back to the starting point.
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Round
Through a circle, as of friends or houses.
The invitations were sent round accordingly.
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Oct 19, 2023
Round
On every side of, so as to encompass or encircle; around; about; as, the people atood round him; to go round the city; to wind a cable round a windlass.
The serpent Error twines round human hearts.
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Oct 19, 2023
Round
An interval during which a recurring sequence of events occurs;
The neverending cycle of the seasons
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Oct 19, 2023
Round
A regular route for a sentry or policeman;
In the old days a policeman walked a beat and knew all his people by name
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Oct 19, 2023
Round
(often plural) a series of professional calls (usually in a set order);
The doctor goes on his rounds first thing every morning
The postman's rounds
We enjoyed our round of the local bars
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Oct 19, 2023
Round
The activity of playing 18 holes of golf;
A round of golf takes about 4 hours
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Oct 19, 2023
Round
The course along which communications spread;
The story is going the rounds in Washington
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Oct 19, 2023
Round
A serving to each of a group (usually alcoholic);
He ordered a second round
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Oct 19, 2023
Round
A partsong in which voices follow each other; one voice starts and others join in one after another until all are singing different parts of the song at the same time;
They enjoyed singing rounds
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Oct 19, 2023
Round
Any circular or rotating mechanism;
The machine punched out metal circles
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Oct 19, 2023
Round
Be around;
Developments surround the town
The river encircles the village
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Oct 19, 2023
Round
Attack in speech or writing;
The editors of the left-leaning paper attacked the new House Speaker
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Round
Bring to a highly developed, finished, or refined state;
Polish your social manners
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Round
(of sounds) full and rich;
Orotund tones
The rotund and reverberating phrase
Pear-shaped vowels
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Oct 19, 2023
Round
(of numbers) to the nearest ten, hundred, or thousand;
In round numbers
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Round
From beginning to end; throughout;
It rains all year round on Skye
Frigid weather the year around
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Oct 19, 2023
Round
Shaped like or approximately like a circle or cylinder.
She wore a round locket around her neck.
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Nov 28, 2023
Round
In sports, a round can refer to a series of games or a stage in a tournament.
The team made it to the final round of the competition.
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Nov 28, 2023
Round
Round can describe something that is plump or not angular.
The round shape of the pillow was very comfortable.
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Nov 28, 2023
Round
Used to describe a complete cycle or sequence.
She made a round trip from Paris to Rome.
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Nov 28, 2023
Repeatedly Asked Queries
Are all spherical objects perfectly round?
In theory, yes, though real-world objects may not be perfectly spherical.
Shumaila Saeed
Nov 28, 2023
What does 'round' mean in geometry?
It refers to shapes that are circular or curved, like a circle or ellipse.
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Nov 28, 2023
Is a sphere always spherical?
Yes, a sphere is by definition a perfect 3D spherical object.
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Nov 28, 2023
Can 'round' be used for 3D objects?
Yes, but it does not imply perfect symmetry like 'spherical.'
Shumaila Saeed
Nov 28, 2023
Can a 2D object be spherical?
No, 'spherical' specifically describes 3D shapes.
Shumaila Saeed
Nov 28, 2023
Is 'round' used in everyday language more than 'spherical'?
Yes, 'round' is more common and can be used in various contexts.
Shumaila Saeed
Nov 28, 2023
Are 'round' and 'spherical' interchangeable?
Not always, as 'spherical' implies a more specific shape.
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Nov 28, 2023
Can a round shape have corners?
No, round shapes are typically without corners or edges.
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Nov 28, 2023
Are all spherical shapes smooth?
Ideally, yes, but real-world spherical objects might have surface variations.
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Nov 28, 2023
Can 'round' describe a person's character?
Yes, metaphorically, as in a 'well-rounded' individual with diverse skills or interests.
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Nov 28, 2023
Can a round object be flat?
Yes, like a round coin or a round piece of paper.
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Nov 28, 2023
Is a basketball spherical?
Yes, a basketball is an example of a spherical object.
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Nov 28, 2023
Does 'spherical' only apply to solid objects?
No, it can also apply to hollow objects, as long as they are sphere-shaped.
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Nov 28, 2023
Are globes spherical?
Yes, globes are designed to be spherical representations of the Earth.
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Nov 28, 2023
Is 'round' a technical term in geometry?
It's less technical and more general than 'spherical.'
Shumaila Saeed
Nov 28, 2023
Can 'spherical' be used metaphorically?
It's less common, as 'spherical' is usually used in literal, geometric contexts.
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Nov 28, 2023
Does 'round' imply softness or gentleness?
It can, especially when describing shapes that lack sharp angles.
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Nov 28, 2023
Is the Earth round or spherical?
It's roughly spherical, though not a perfect sphere due to its slight bulge at the equator.
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Nov 28, 2023
Are there mathematical formulas for spherical shapes?
Yes, there are formulas for volume, surface area, and more for spheres.
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Nov 28, 2023
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Written by
Shumaila SaeedShumaila Saeed, an expert content creator with 6 years of experience, specializes in distilling complex topics into easily digestible comparisons, shining a light on the nuances that both inform and educate readers with clarity and accuracy.
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