What does rectangularly mean?
Rectangularly is an adverb meaning in a rectangular manner, especially with straight sides and four right angles. It is most often used to describe the arrangement, orientation, or shape of something rather than its dimensions or material. For example, a table might be placed rectangularly in a room, or sensors might be positioned rectangularly around a device. The word has a formal, somewhat technical tone and is less usual in everyday conversation; natural alternatives include 'in a rectangle', 'with four right angles', or more context-specific descriptions such as 'parallel to the walls'. Although rectangles are familiar geometric forms, rectangularly is primarily useful when the manner of arrangement is important and a more precise alternative to 'squarely' is needed.
adverbIn a rectangular form or manner; with straight sides and four right angles.
- In a rectangular form or with the sides and angles characteristic of a rectangle.
"The table was arranged rectangularly so that it would fit neatly against the wall."
"The sensors are arranged rectangularly around the perimeter of the device."
"She drew the plot rectangularly, marking each corner at a right angle."
Rectangularly celebrates the right angle: four of them are the defining feature of a rectangle.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does rectangularly come from?
Rectangularly was formed in the early 19th century from the adjective rectangular and the adverbial suffix -ly. Rectangular comes from Latin rectangulus, a compound of rectus, meaning 'straight' or 'right', and angulus, meaning 'angle'. The same Latin root underlies rectangle and rectification, while rectitude reflects a separate development of Latin rectitudo, meaning 'straightness' or 'correctness'.
Related word forms
How rectangularly is actually used
Rectangularly is a formal or technical adverb and is less common in everyday speech, where specific wording such as 'in a rectangle' or 'at right angles' may sound more natural.
Easily confused with rectangularly
Rectangular is an adjective describing something having the shape of a rectangle, whereas rectangularly is an adverb describing the manner in which an action is performed.