Shapes Vocabulary: A shape can be defined as the external boundary or outline of an object. Everything around us has a different shape, and it is essential for us to learn the different shapes and their names. A shape can be two types: a two-dimensional or 2D shape or a three-dimensional or 3D shape. A 2D shape has only two dimensions – length and breadth, whereas a 3D shape has three dimensions – length, breadth, and height.
Many words in English are the names of shapes we use in our daily lives, and hence we need to know these words along with the diagram of different shapes to increase our vocabulary and improve our communication. Hence, we have made a to the point and easy list of shapes vocabulary for you to learn all the shapes in English.
Study the most important English Vocabulary Words identified by our experts and learn the right vocabulary to use in your day to day conversations.
List of Shapes Vocabulary Words in English
Name of Shapes Vocabulary Words
Along with the names of the different shapes in English with pictures, we should also know their descriptions to understand each shape correctly.
We have listed different shapes and their pictures in this article, and hence it will help you increase your vocabulary as you will get the description along with the pictures of different shapes of objects.
List of Shapes
- Circle
- Oval
- Semi-circle
- Ellipse
- Triangle
- Square
- Rectangle
- Pentagon
- Hexagon
- Heptagon
- Octagon
- Nonagon
- Decagon
- Right-angled Triangle
- Equilateral Triangle
- Isosceles Triangle
- Scalene Triangle
- Parallelogram
- Rhombus
- Trapezoid
- Sphere
- Cube
- Cuboid
- Pyramid
- Cone
- Cylinder
- Diamond
- Heart
- Cross
- Arrow
- Star
- Crescent
Description of the Shapes Vocabulary Words
Circle
A circle is a closed, equally rounded shape. It is categorized as a two-dimensional or 2D geometric shape, and it does not consist of any lines or corners. The wheel of a vehicle, dartboard, lid of a cylindrical jar, pizza base all are circular in shape.
Oval
An oval is an elongated shape similar to a circle. In other words, an oval is basically a circle that’s been a little squished. A circle can be squished into two types, squished in the middle and squished at the top, the former being called an ellipse, but commonly both are called ovals. This shape has no straight lines or corners. The number zero (0) is of oval shape.
Semi-circle
A semi-circle is basically the half of a circle. An arc within a circle connects from one end to the other and forms the diameter that cuts the circle into two equal halves: the semi-circles. We can create two semi-circles from a circle of any diameter. A protractor, a round paper folded in half are some of the objects with a semi-circular shape.
Ellipse
An ellipse is a two-dimensional closed geometric shape that appears like an oval or a flattened circle. We can also say that an ellipse is a circle that has been stretched in one direction to give it the shape of an oval. The orbits of planets and satellites are of ellipse shape.
Triangle
A triangle is a two-dimensional closed shape with three straight sides. However, these sides can be of any length and with any degree of angle, based on which they are again classified as different types of triangles. But, the three sides of a triangle must be joined at their ends, and the sum of all the angles of the triangle should be equal to 180 degrees. The shape of nachos, warning signs, and one slice of pizza are triangular in shape.
Square
A square is a closed 2D shape that is formed by joining four sides at four right angles. The four sides of a square are of equal lengths. A chessboard, floor tiles, napkins, keys of a keyboard, and a carrom board are all in the shape of a square.
Rectangle
A rectangle is a closed two-dimensional shape that has four sides and four right angles. It is a geometric shape made up of two sets of parallel lines in which the length of the opposite sides is equal. A laptop screen, a page from a notebook, touch screen mobile phones are rectangular shaped.
Pentagon
A pentagon shape is a flat two-dimensional 5-sided polygon. It is a closed shape with five straight sides and five interior angles, and the sum of all the interior angles adds up to 540 degrees. Sections of a soccer ball, some pencils, and some traffic signs can be seen in the shape of a pentagon.
Hexagon
A hexagon is a closed two-dimensional shape made up of straight lines. It is a 6-sided polygon with six vertices and six edges. All the lines of a hexagon are closed, and it has no curved sides. The six internal angles of a hexagon add up to 720 degrees. A honeycomb is one of the most popular and perfect examples of a hexagon.
Heptagon
A heptagon is a two-dimensional polygon that has seven sides. A heptagon is also sometimes called Septagon. It is a closed figure having seven corners or vertices. A heptagon is said to be regular if all of its sides and angles are equal in magnitude. In this case, the sum of all the interior angles of a regular heptagon is 900 degrees. Some coins, mirrors, and vases have the shape of a heptagon.
Octagon
An octagon is a two-dimensional closed shape and is an 8-sided polygon. It has eight angles and eight vertices. Octagons can be regular or irregular, depending on their shape and how they are drawn. In a regular octagon, all eight sides are equal in length, and all eight angles are equal in magnitude. The interior angle of a regular octagon at each vertex is 135 degrees, and they add up to 1080 degrees, and the exterior angles add up to 360 degrees. Traffic signs, umbrellas, plates are often in the shape of an octagon.
Nonagon
A nonagon is a closed two-dimensional 9-sided polygon. It has nine corners or vertices, and the nine straight sides meet at these corners. There can be two types of nonagons: regular and irregular nonagons. In a regular nonagon, all the sides are equal in length, each interior angle is 140 degrees, and the sum of all the interior angles of a nonagon is 1260 degrees. The sum of all the exterior angles of a nonagon is 360 degrees.
Decagon
A decagon is a closed two-dimensional 10-sided polygon. It has ten straight sides and ten corners or vertices. Like all other polygons, a decagon is also of two types: regular and irregular decagons. In a regular decagon, all the sides are equal in length, and the sum of all the interior angles is 1440 degrees. The sum of all the exterior angles of a decagon is 360 degrees. Coins, mirrors, and plates are found to be in the shape of a decagon.
Right-angled Triangle
A right-angled triangle or a right triangle is a closed two-dimensional shape with three sides. It is a triangle with one of the angles measuring 90 degrees. It is named so because a 90-degree angle is called a right angle, and hence the triangle that has one of the angles a right angle is called a right triangle. The side opposite the 90-degree angle is the hypotenuse, which is the longest side of the triangle. The sum of the remaining two angles and the right angle of a right-angled triangle is always equal to 180 degrees. Stairs are an example of a right triangle.
Equilateral Triangle
An equilateral triangle closed two-dimensional triangle in which all three sides are of equal length, and all the three angles are of equal magnitude. Hence, an equilateral triangle is often considered a regular triangle. The total of all the interior angles of any triangle is 180 degrees, so every angle of an equilateral triangle is 60 degrees. Traffic signs and nachos are made in the shape of an equilateral triangle.
Isosceles Triangle
An isosceles triangle is a closed 2D triangle with two equal sides, and the angles opposite to the equal sides are equal in magnitude. The addition of all the interior angles of an isosceles triangle is 180 degrees. The two equal sides of the triangle are known as legs, and the third or the unequal side is called the base. A slice of pizza is in the shape of an isosceles triangle.
Scalene Triangle
A scalene triangle is a closed 2D triangle with all sides of different lengths and all angles of different magnitude. However, as it is a triangle, all the interior angles add up to 180 degrees. Ramps and sails can be in the shape of a scalene triangle.
Parallelogram
A parallelogram is a two-dimensional closed geometrical shape whose opposite sides are parallel and equal to each other. It is a polygon with four sides and four vertices and is also known as the quadrilateral. The interior opposite angles in a parallelogram are equal in magnitude, and the sum of the adjacent angles is always equal to 180 degrees. Desks, erasers, and buildings are some examples of a parallelogram.
Rhombus
A rhombus is a closed two-dimensional geometric shape. It is a particular type of parallelogram and is a 4-sided quadrilateral. In a rhombus, the opposite sides are parallel, and the opposite angles are equal in magnitude. Furthermore, all the sides of a rhombus are equal in size or length, and the diagonals bisect each other at right angles but are not equal in length. It is in a shape of a diamond and is often called the diamond. A kite, diamond, windows of a car are in the shape of a rhombus.
Trapezoid
A trapezoid, also called the trapezium, is a flat two-dimensional closed shape with four straight sides and one pair of parallel sides, usually the top and bottom sides. In a trapezium, the parallel sides are known as the bases, and the non-parallel sides are called the legs. Handbags are in the shape of a trapezoid.
Sphere
A sphere is a solid three-dimensional closed shape formed using a circular base. In other words, a sphere is a three-dimensional circle with one face. A sphere does not have any vertices or edges. The most common example is any kind of ball. A football, baseball, or a globe are all examples of a sphere.
Cube
A cube is a closed three-dimensional or 3D geometric shape. It is made up of six squares of equal size, known as the 6 faces of the cube. A cube has 8 vertices and 12 edges. A Rubik’s cube, an ice cube, and a ludo dice are all in the shape of a cube.
Cuboid
A cuboid is a 3D or three-dimensional shape that is formed using rectangles. A cuboid, too, has six sides called faces, 8 vertices, and 12 edges. All of a cuboid’s corners are called vertices, and each of them is of 90-degree angles. A duster, a rectangular box, a book all are in the shape of a cuboid.
Pyramid
A pyramid is a three-dimensional or 3D shape. It has a polygonal base and flat triangular lateral faces that join at a common point called the apex. In simple words, we can say that a pyramid is a 3D triangle. Based on the shape or number of sides of the base, there are different types of pyramids. The giant pyramids in Egypt, the roof of a house, and paperweights are of pyramidal shape.
Cone
A cone is a solid 3D or three-dimensional geometric shape with a circular flat base. It is pointed at the top with an edge called the apex. It has one vertex, one face but no edges. An ice-cream cone, a traffic cone, a Christmas tree, and a party hat are all cone shaped.
Cylinder
A cylinder is a solid three-dimensional shape that has two flat parallel bases in a circular shape joined by a curved surface at a fixed distance. It is formed by folding a rectangle. A cylinder has one curved surface, three faces, three edges, and no vertices. Cold drink cans, pipes, batteries, candles are cylindrical in shape.
Diamond
A diamond is a quadrilateral, a two-dimensional closed flat figure that has four straight sides. However, a diamond is often considered a rhombus because it has four equal sides and its opposite angles are equal. Again, as its opposite sides are parallel, diamond shape is also considered a parallelogram. The gem diamond, the diamond in playing cards are examples of a diamond shape.
Heart
A heart is a closed two-dimensional shape that has both straight and curved lines. The traditional heart shape is pointed at one end (generally the bottom end) and indented at the opposite sides. We can often see birthday cakes, cupcakes, pillows, and toys in heart shapes.
Cross
A cross is a geometric shape that consists of two intersecting lines or bars that are normally perpendicular to each other. Commonly the lines run vertically and horizontally. In simpler words, a cross shape is an X-like figure, where one of the two lines crosses another perpendicularly. The Christian cross is an example of the cross shape.
Arrow
An arrow can be defined as a closed geometric shape with a wedge at one end of the shape and a triangle at another that indicates direction. Traffic signs, an arrow of a bow and arrow are some examples of the shape arrow.
Star
A star is a closed geometric shape that is a type of polygon, and most commonly is a decagon. It is a self-intersecting, equilateral, and equiangular polygon. A starfish, star-shaped lights on a Christmas tree are some real-life star-shaped objects.
Crescent
A crescent is a closed, thin, and curved geometric shape. It is broader or thicker in the middle and tapers at its two ends to form points. The shape of the moon during its first and last quarters is in the shape of a crescent.