asymmetrical

adjective

asym·​met·​ri·​cal ˌā-sə-ˈme-tri-kəl 

variants or asymmetric

ˌā-sə-ˈme-trik 

1

: having two sides or halves that are not the same : not symmetrical

an asymmetrical design

asymmetrical shapes

2

usually asymmetric of a carbon atom : bonded to four different atoms or groups

asymmetrically

ˌā-sə-ˈme-tri-k(ə-)lē 

adverb

Examples of asymmetrical in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Elsewhere, asymmetrical bands draped and wrapped around the body before pooling into a skirt of scanty strips. —Jasper Brown, WWD, 28 Oct. 2024

This tree in particular is more susceptible to limb loss, which can cause your tree to become unbalanced or asymmetrical. —Steve Bender, Southern Living, 25 Oct. 2024

The singer and entrepreneur opted for a chunky wool knit maxi dress complete with a hoodie and a two-way asymmetrical zipper. —Hannah Jackson, Vogue, 25 Oct. 2024

Unlike the asymmetrical layout of the sticks on the GameCube’s controller, the CubeSense’s analog sticks sit side by side. —Andrew Liszewski, The Verge, 21 Oct. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Greek asymmetria lack of proportion, from asymmetros ill-proportioned, from a- + symmetros symmetrical

First Known Use

1690, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing asymmetrical

• asymmetrical digital subscriber line

Kids Definition

asymmetrical

adjective

asym·​met·​ri·​cal ˌā-sə-ˈme-tri-kəl 

variants or asymmetric

-trik 

: not symmetrical

asymmetrically

-tri-k(ə-)lē 

adverb

asymmetry

(ˈ)ā-ˈsim-ə-trē 

noun

Medical Definition

asymmetrical

adjective

asym·​met·​ri·​cal ˌā-sə-ˈme-tri-kəl 

variants or asymmetric

-trik 

1

: not symmetrical

2

usually asymmetric, of a carbon atom : bonded to four different atoms or groups

asymmetrically

-tri-k(ə-)lē 

adverb