What does elliptical mean?
'Elliptical' is an adjective with two main strands of meaning that share a single origin. In its literal, scientific sense, it describes anything shaped like an ellipse — a smooth, closed oval curve — and appears constantly in astronomy and geometry, as in the elliptical orbits of comets and satellites. In its figurative sense, it characterizes language or style that leaves things out: an elliptical remark, poem, or argument implies far more than it states, inviting the reader to fill the gaps. This second sense derives directly from 'ellipsis', the omission of words understood from context. The word carries connotations of elegance and subtlety when applied to artful prose, but can suggest evasiveness or obscurity when applied to someone's answers. It also names a popular exercise machine whose foot pedals trace an oval path. Derived from Greek through Latin, it entered English in the seventeenth century and remains equally at home in technical and literary registers.
Shaped like an ellipse; relating to or having the properties of an ellipse.
"Pluto travels along a noticeably elliptical path around the sun."
Of speech or writing: condensed and obscure because words or ideas are left unstated.
"The poet's elliptical style rewards careful rereading."
Often used appreciatively of literary style, but can criticize communication perceived as evasive.
The same Greek verb meaning 'to leave out' gave us both the oval orbit of planets and the art of saying less than you mean.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of elliptical
Elliptical comes from the Greek 'elleipsis', meaning 'a falling short' or 'omission', formed from 'en-' ('in') and 'leipein' ('to leave'). Latin borrowed the term as 'ellipticus', and English adopted it via French or scholarly Latin in the early seventeenth century. The geometric sense arose because an ellipse was conceived as a 'defective' circle, while the grammatical sense reflects omission of words. The same Greek root underlies related terms such as 'ellipse', 'ellipsis', and, more distantly, 'ecliptic'.
Related word forms
How elliptical is actually used
In astronomy and mathematics, 'elliptical' is neutral and technical. In literary criticism it often carries a slightly admiring connotation of subtlety and compression, though it can also imply frustrating vagueness depending on context.
Easily confused with elliptical
'Ellipsis' is the noun for omitted words or the three-dot punctuation mark (...), while 'elliptical' is the adjective describing something shaped like an oval or phrased in an abbreviated, suggestive way.
An 'eclipse' is an astronomical event in which one body obscures another, whereas 'elliptical' describes an oval shape or an indirect manner of speaking — they share only a distant Greek root.