two-dimensional

adjective

two-di·​men·​sion·​al ˈtü-də-ˈmen(t)-sh(ə-)nəl 

 also  -dī-

1

: of, relating to, or having two dimensions

The most symmetric of the two-dimensional objects is the circle, because you can rotate it any amount and reflect it over any axis through its center, and it remains exactly the same …

—Tamara M. Davis

… consider a piece of paper, a two-dimensional object. Crumple the paper up. The more tightly it's compressed, the more chaotic are its folds, and the closer the two-dimensional surface moves to becoming a three-dimensional solid.

—John Briggs and F. David Peat

2

: lacking the illusion of depth : not three-dimensional

His violent, nakedly two-dimensional art can be difficult to capture in photographs, depending as it does in great measure on knotty textures and eccentric color schemes for effect.

—Publishers Weekly

3

: lacking depth of characterization

two-dimensional characters

two-dimensionality

ˈtü-də-ˌmen(t)-shə-ˈna-lə-tē 

 also  -dī-

noun

plural two-dimensionalities

two-dimensionally adverb

This guide … covers thoroughly and in-depth the process of representing the human form two-dimensionally on paper.

—Heather Halliday

Examples of two-dimensional in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The new works are two-dimensional sublimities of color, texture, and complexity, as if fellow Angeleno Jonas Wood’s large smooth paintings had been mixed with Matisse, the Pattern and Decoration painters of the 1970s (most of whom were women), and Hallmark greeting cards. —Jerry Saltz, Vulture, 9 Oct. 2024

Indeed, Golden explains that much of her work involves teaching people the two-dimensional quirks of webcams. —thehustle.co, 1 Nov. 2024

Wedged under his arm like a beloved clutch bag on a night out, Pugh’s rigid two-dimensional form topped off Garfield’s outfit perfectly. —Leah Dolan, CNN, 18 Oct. 2024

Depth Pro enables high-speed generation of detailed 3D depth maps from a single two-dimensional image. —Paul Ridden, New Atlas, 14 Oct. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1863, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

two-dimensional

adjective

: of, relating to, or having two dimensions (as length and width)