What is the appropriate usage of "symmetrical" and "symmetric" (using the geometrical adjectival definition of both terms)? Are they synonymous?
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4At least in a mathematical context, I think "symmetric" is far more common. For one thing, there are many technical terms where "symmetric" is the correct choice (e.g. "symmetric space", "symmetric relation", "symmetric group"). I can't think of any technical term including "symmetrical".– Sam LisiApr 27, 2012 at 7:54
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7Related: “electric” vs. “electrical”, “symbolic” vs. “symbolical”, “scientific” vs. “scientifical”, and the most excellent general discussion Why is it “geometric” but “theoretical”?– RegDwigнt ♦Apr 27, 2012 at 9:39
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Thanks for that last link @RegDwightΒВBẞ8, the answers there are great.– naught101Apr 27, 2012 at 13:31
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Related Acoustic vs acoustical– Phil SweetMay 16, 2018 at 18:07
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Possible duplicate of What is the difference between "electric" and "electrical" and their usage?– BreadMay 17, 2018 at 0:55
4 Answers
Merriam-Webster lists symmetric as being a variant of symmetrical, which is the 'official' dictionary entry:
symmetrical, adj : 1 : having or involving symmetry : exhibiting symmetry : exhibiting correspondence in size and shape of parts : BALANCED, REGULAR {the human body is symmetrical} {crystals are often symmetrical} {a symmetrical garden} {a symmetrical grouping}
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Based on this definition, something that is symmetrical may be less than perfectly symmetric. It may only involve symmetry, without actually being symmetric. The "AL" ending suggests something that is "of" another thing (symmetry) without necessarily being exactly it.– sjb-sjbSep 24, 2019 at 10:59
"Symmetrical" is a non-technical term, to describe any object that has symmetry; for example, a human face. "Symmetric" means "relating to symmetry", and is also used in a number of technical mathematical contexts (see Sam Lisi's comment under the question).
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@naught101: how do you think the wiktionary definitions are inconsistent with David's?– MitchApr 27, 2012 at 14:44
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1I don't agree with symmetrical being a nontechnical term. Dorland's Medical Dictionary lists only "symmetrical," and the definition is: "pertaining to or exhibiting symmetry; in chemistry, denoting compounds which contain atoms or groups at equal intervals in the molecule." (Sounds technical to me.)– JLGApr 27, 2012 at 14:54
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@mitch, because symmetric is defined as "symmetrical" - I assume that's supposed to mean it's a perfect synonym. Apr 27, 2012 at 15:12
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1@naught101: 1) there are no perfect synonyms. Ever. And a crowd sourced definition ain't gonna specify enough to judge. 2) wiktionary is not definitive. Don't take anything it says as gospel or draw logical conclusions from it. Frankly the same could be said for the OED, but wiktionary is not written by people who have spent a long time judging such things.– MitchApr 27, 2012 at 16:23
I suggest that items may be symmetric in appearance; therefore, they are symmetrical. Ex: My hands are symmetric in appearance; therefore, they are symmetrical.
Perhaps when speaking about one item as a whole, it is "symmetrical" (meaning that both individual sides are similar to one another); however, when speaking of both parts individually, they are "symmetric" to one another.
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1Is this a part of your other answer? Please edit the previous answer to add this part to it. Then delete this answer.– NVZ ♦Mar 1, 2017 at 1:48