What does cornerwise mean?
Cornerwise is an adverb describing movement, placement, or orientation at an angle to a surface — most often diagonally, from one corner toward the opposite corner. Someone might lay floor tiles cornerwise to produce a diamond effect, cut a sandwich cornerwise into triangles, or manoeuvre a bulky piece of furniture cornerwise through a doorway. The word is formed with the productive English suffix '-wise', which converts nouns into adverbs of manner or direction, exactly as in clockwise, lengthwise, and crosswise. Although transparent and instantly understood, cornerwise is relatively uncommon in modern usage; speakers typically prefer 'diagonally' or 'at an angle'. Where it does appear, it tends to be in practical, hands-on contexts — carpentry, masonry, sewing, and board games. Its value lies in precision and economy: a single word that conveys both the reference point (a corner) and the resulting direction (across it).
adverbIn the direction of, or positioned at an angle across, the corner of something; placed or moving diagonally from corner to corner rather than straight on.
- Diagonally, from one corner to the opposite corner, as in laying tiles or cutting fabric.
- With a corner foremost or angled toward something, as when turning furniture or fitting an object through a space.
"She turned the sofa cornerwise so it would fit neatly into the alcove."
"The tiles were laid cornerwise across the hallway to create a diamond pattern."
"He eased the bookcase cornerwise through the narrow doorway."
Cornerwise belongs to a tidy family of English '-wise' adverbs — like clockwise and lengthwise — that let you describe direction in a single word.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of cornerwise
Cornerwise combines 'corner', which entered English via Old French from Latin cornu ('horn'), with the Old English suffix '-wise', meaning 'in the manner of'. The suffix has long been used to build directional adverbs, producing parallels such as likewise, otherwise, and crosswise. The word emerged in English as part of this family of compound adverbs, though it has never been among the most frequent members.
How cornerwise is actually used
Cornerwise is a somewhat rare and formal-sounding word; in everyday speech people more often say 'diagonally' or describe the action ('at an angle'). It appears chiefly in practical contexts such as carpentry, tiling, needlework, and games played on grids.
Easily confused with cornerwise
A cornerstone is a foundational stone of a building (or figuratively, a basis of something), whereas cornerwise is an adverb describing a diagonal orientation.