What does cylindric mean?
Cylindric is an adjective describing something shaped like or relating to a cylinder — an object with straight parallel sides and a circular cross-section, such as a column, pipe, or drum. It is one of two closely related English forms of this idea, alongside the far more common 'cylindrical'; the two are interchangeable in meaning, but 'cylindric' tends to appear in more formal, literary, or older writing, while 'cylindrical' prevails in everyday speech and modern technical prose. The word derives ultimately from the Greek 'kylindros', meaning a roller, via Latin 'cylindrus'. In use, it appears most often describing physical objects — architecture, machinery, vessels — though mathematicians may also speak of cylindric surfaces or coordinates. Writers reaching for it today should be aware that many readers will find it slightly unusual, which can lend a sentence a classical or deliberately elevated tone. For clarity and conventionality, however, 'cylindrical' remains the standard choice in most contemporary contexts.
adjectiveHaving the form, shape, or characteristics of a cylinder; relating to or resembling a cylinder.
- Of a solid object or surface: having the form of a cylinder, i.e. straight parallel sides with circular or elliptical cross-sections.
- Relating to cylinders or to cylindrical geometry, especially in mathematics and engineering contexts.
"The tower's cylindric shaft rose smoothly above the surrounding rooftops."
"A single cylindric pillar supported the vaulted ceiling."
"The engineer specified a cylindric bore for the hydraulic housing."
'Cylindric' and 'cylindrical' both trace back over two thousand years to the Greek kylindros — the same root as the roller that gave us rolling pins and engine pistons alike.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of cylindric
Cylindric comes from the ancient Greek 'kylindros' (κύλινδρος), meaning a roller or rolled object, which passed into Latin as 'cylindrus' and then into English. The adjective entered English in the early modern period, with the variant form 'cylindrical' arising around the same time from the Latin-derived suffix '-ical'. Both forms share their origin with the noun 'cylinder' itself, and the Greek root also lies behind rarer technical terms such as 'cylindroid'.
Related word forms
How cylindric is actually used
Register is noticeably more formal, literary, or technical than its near-twin 'cylindrical.' In ordinary prose and most scientific writing, 'cylindrical' dominates; 'cylindric' survives chiefly in older texts, poetry, and certain specialized technical vocabularies. Neither form carries positive or negative connotation beyond neutral description of shape.
Easily confused with cylindric
Both adjectives mean 'of the shape of a cylinder,' but 'cylindrical' is by far the more common everyday choice, while 'cylindric' is the older, more formal or technical variant.