From Middle English square, sqware, squyre; from Old French esquarre, esquerre, (modern French équerre), from Vulgar Latin *exquadra, from Latin ex- + quadro, from quadrus (compare English quad and quadra). Doublet of squad and squadra.
Displaced Old English fēowerecge (fēower nominative + ecg accusative, as in "four-edged").
Meanings
Shaped like a square (the polygon).
The huge square box, parquet-floored and high-ceilinged, had been arranged to display a suite of bedroom furniture designed and made in the halcyon days of the last quarter of the nineteenth century, […]. 1963, Margery Allingham, chapter 1, in The China Governess: A Mystery, London: Chatto & Windus, →OCLC:
Forming a right angle (90°).
a square corner
A September video from the TikTok user syrianpsycho, who promotes softmaxxing to his 1.2 million followers, bemoans the experience of going to restaurant while “mewing” (a technique that involves placing the tongue on the roof of the mouth, which Looksmaxxers believe makes the jaw grow squarer and stronger) and “starvemaxxing” (the Looksmaxxers’ term for extreme fasting). 2023 November 6, Joseph Bernstein, “Young Men Seek Answers to an Age-Old Question: How to Be Hot”, in The New York Times, archived from the original on 04 Jan 2024:
Take care to make the cut completely square to the edges of the wire to give a good butt join for the ends of the wire. 2017, Julia Rai, Making Metal Clay Jewellery:
(of box-shaped objects such as buildings or metal frames) Forming a right angle (90°). ▸ Forming right angles in all planes as intended; not racked or leaning.
The stacks had to be neat and square or the old guy grumbled and insisted on getting it just so. 2019, Bruce W. Herdman, Ozarks Lite:
The foundation has to be level and the framing has to be square.
Forming a right angle (90°). ▸ Forming right angles with the mast or the keel, and parallel to the horizon; said of the yards of a square-rigged vessel when they are so braced.
Used in the names of units of area formed by multiplying a unit of length by itself.
A floor that measures 4 feet square has an area of 16 square feet.
It is not permissible to use abbreviations for unit symbols or unit names, such as sec (for either s or second), sq. mm (for either mm² or square millimetre), cc (for either cm³ or cubic centimetre), or mps (for either m/s or metre per second). 2025 August 14, “The International System of Units (SI)”, in Bureau International des Poids et Mesures, archived from the original on 17 Sep 2025, page 147:
square mile
Honest; straightforward; fair.
I am not very good at analysing things, but I felt that she talked a little uncomfortably and with a suspicion of effort, smiled rather conventionally, and was obviously glad to go. These things seem trifling enough to repeat, but I had throughout the faint feeling that everything was not square. 1908, Perceval Landon, Thurnley Abbey:
I'm just looking for a square deal on my car repair.
I believe you're a good, square man 1900 [1878], Allan Pinkerton, Criminal Reminiscences and Detective Sketches, New York: G. W. Dillingham, page 29:
Why, you would not be boosing till lightman's in a square crib like mine, as if you were in a flash panny? 1828, Edward Bulwer Lytton Baron Lytton, Pelham, Or, Adventures of a Gentleman:
square dealing
Satisfied; comfortable with; not experiencing any conflict.
By the confident tone in her voice, you can tell she is square with that. 2007, Lauren Heaton, Holly Bollinger, Catherine Lee Phillips, Susan Gartner, Women of the Harvest, page 63:
" […] I will never act on it, but if you're satisfied with the way things are then I am, too. […] So, are we square?” 2009, Ramona Holliday, Winter Murders:
Even; tied
to make or leave the accounts square
The teams were square while at even strength. have to play better than even if we want to win games." said Montreal goalie Jose Theodore 2000 December 16, “Islanders, Devils Make It Tough For Canadian Teams”, in Bryan Times:
The sides were square to the 14th hole when Goosen took birdie, 2003 November 24, “Els's mates get better with time”, in The Age, Melbourne, Vic.:
In each of the last three afternoon foursomes, the Americans were square through 15, but could only come in with two halves and a loss. 2006 September 23, Jim McCabe, “As usual, Americans trailing after first day”, in The Columbus Dispatch:
But the Jays were square again by the end of the inning, as Myers hit a 2-and-0 pitch into the left-center field seats 2003 April 9, “Lowe Struggles Again In Sox Setback”, in Record-Journal:
The square Johns lie more than the in-guys do. 1990, A. W. Gray, In Defense of Judges:
It was a square town, but that didn't bother me. I knew I didn't have to live a square life. 1974, Jack Olsen, The Girls on the Campus, page 100:
In line with the batsman's popping crease.
Solid, decent, substantial.
It is obvious two o'clock will arrive in about five and a half hours from now, and I presume every gentleman in the House would like to get a square breakfast. 1879, United States. Congress, Congressional Record, Volume 9, page 1594:
I said that because I didn't want any knives involved, and if Wizzie agreed to a square go now, with half the school listening, she couldn't go back on it. 2012, Cathy MacPhail, Worse Than Boys:
If some of you who read this paragraph would quit scheming and get down to honest, square effort this year, your creditors would get their due and your families would be better kept. 1899 February, “Stray Shots From Solomon”, in Shoe and Leather Journal, volume 12, number 2, page 51:
"Sarah," said her grandmother. "You should eat a good square meal." 1986, Jan Irving, Robin Currie, Mudluscious, page 75:
It may be prison, but at least I'm getting three square meals a day.
By Heaven, square eaters. More meat, I say. c. 1613 (first performance), John Fletcher, “The Tragedie of Bonduca”, in Comedies and Tragedies […], London: […] Humphrey Robinson, […], and for Humphrey Moseley […], published 1647, →OCLC, Act II, scene iii:
Having a shape broad for the height, with angular rather than curving outlines.
a man of a square frame
Of an internal combustion engine design, in which the diameter of the piston is similar, roughly, approximately, equal to its stroke distance.
bg квадра́тен (used in the names of units) · fi tiukkapipoinen (socially conventional) · da vinkelret på (forming a right angle) · ar مُرَبَّع (used in the names of units) · grc ἐπικάρσιος (forming a right angle) · fi suorakulmaisesti (forming a right angle) · id segiempat (shaped like a square) · ja 平方 (used in the names of units) · pt quadrado (socially conventional) · nrf cârré (used in the names of units) · cs čtvercový (shaped like a square) · nn kvadrat- (used in the names of units) · gl cadrado (used in the names of units) · la quadrātus (shaped like a square) · bg наравно (even, tied) · kn ಚೌಕ (shaped like a square) · nb firkanta (socially conventional) · grc τετράγωνος (shaped like a square) · arz مربع (shaped like a square) · sv kvadratisk (shaped like a square) · ms persegi (forming a right angle) · gd ceàrnagach (shaped like a square) · nb kvadrat- (used in the names of units) · ga cearnógach (shaped like a square) · it quadrato (shaped like a square) · bg подравнен (correctly aligned) · cs výživný (hearty, vigorous) · nl met rechte hoek (forming a right angle) · ms persegi (used in the names of units) · id kotak (shaped like a square) · ms skema (socially conventional) · is hornréttur (forming a right angle) · cmn 平方 (used in the names of units) · grc τετραγλώχις (shaped like a square) · mi pūrua (used in the names of units) · bg правиле (even, tied) · ru квадра́тный (shaped like a square) · fi tasan (even, tied) · sv fyrkantig (socially conventional) · da kvadratisk (shaped like a square) · grc ἰδιομήκης (formed by multiplying two equal numbers) · es zanahorio (socially conventional) · nl vierkant (used in the names of units) · fi neliömäinen (shaped like a square) · fr carré (used in the names of units) · ms segi empat sama (shaped like a square) · hu derékszögű (forming a right angle) · fi oikeansuuntainen (correctly aligned) · ro pătrat (shaped like a square) · it quadrato (used in the names of units) · el τετραγωνικός (used in the names of units) · is fer- (used in the names of units) · ast cuadráu (shaped like a square) · fi neliö- (used in the names of units) · fi neliö- (formed by multiplying two equal numbers) · nl vierkant (shaped like a square) · wa cwårêye (shaped like a square) · bg точен квадрат (formed by multiplying two equal numbers) · bg прям (honest, straightforward) · cs poctivý (honest, straightforward) · fi kunnollinen (hearty, vigorous) · la quadrus (shaped like a square) · mfe kare (shaped like a square) · bg квадра́тен (having shape broad for the height, with angular outlines) · sv fyrkantig (shaped like a square) · ar مُرَبَّع (shaped like a square) · nn kvadratisk (shaped like a square) · grc τετράμετρος (forming a right angle) · grc ὀρθός (forming a right angle) · fi neliömäinen (having shape broad for the height, with angular outlines) · sv kvadrat- (used in the names of units) · nrf cârré (shaped like a square) · gd ceàrnagach (used in the names of units) · cs férový (honest, straightforward) · bg честен (honest, straightforward) · grc εὐγώνιος (forming a right angle) · eo kvadrata (shaped like a square) · vi vuông (forming a right angle) · grc ἐγγώνιος (forming a right angle) · nb vinkelrett på (forming a right angle) · gl cadrado (shaped like a square) · is ferningslaga (shaped like a square) · te చతురస్ర (shaped like a square) · wa cwåré (shaped like a square) · es perpendicular (forming a right angle) · fi neliskulmainen (shaped like a square) · fi suora (honest, straightforward) · ca quadrat (used in the names of units) · ang fēowersċīte (shaped like a square) · ast cuadráu (used in the names of units) · pl kwadratowy (shaped like a square) · oc cairat (used in the names of units) · fr perpendiculaire à (forming a right angle) · grc ὅμοιος (formed by multiplying two equal numbers) · es anticuado (socially conventional) · ru квадра́тный (formed by multiplying two equal numbers) · grc αὐτομήκης (formed by multiplying two equal numbers) · cs čtvereční (used in the names of units) · es cuadrado (shaped like a square) · unm ahshae (shaped like a square) · it perpendicolare a (forming a right angle) · cs kolmý (forming a right angle) · de quadratisch (shaped like a square) · grc ἰσάκις ἴσος (formed by multiplying two equal numbers) · ja 四角い (shaped like a square) · nb firkanta (shaped like a square) · te చదరపు (used in the names of units) · fi konventionaalinen (socially conventional) · cs vydatný (hearty, vigorous) · ru квадра́тный (used in the names of units) · nn vinkelrett på (forming a right angle) · ru че́стный (honest, straightforward) · ka კვადრატული (used in the names of units) · es cuadrado (used in the names of units) · fi kohtisuora (forming a right angle) · grc ἰσόπλευρος (formed by multiplying two equal numbers) · hu kockafejű (socially conventional) · bg правоъгълен (forming a right angle) · grc τετραγωνικός (shaped like a square) · bg квадра́тен (shaped like a square) · grc τετράγωνος (formed by multiplying two equal numbers) · sv vinkelrät mot (forming a right angle) · es cuadriculado (socially conventional) · fr carré (shaped like a square) · nl vierkantig (shaped like a square) · ru прямолине́йный (honest, straightforward) · ru прямоуго́льный (forming a right angle) · de spießig (socially conventional) · grc ποσάκις πόσος (formed by multiplying two equal numbers) · es aguacatado (socially conventional) · el τετράγωνος (shaped like a square) · cs čestný (honest, straightforward) · ang fēowerecgede (shaped like a square) · cs nudný (socially conventional) · nb firkantet (shaped like a square) · nn firkanta (shaped like a square) · nb firkantet (socially conventional) · vi vuông (used in the names of units) · gur wẽkɔ (shaped like a square) · de rechtwinklig (forming a right angle) · hu négyszögletes (shaped like a square) · hu merőleges (forming a right angle) · ang fēowerecge (shaped like a square) · fi tasoissa (even, tied) · ang fiþerscȳte (shaped like a square) · pt quadrado (shaped like a square) · nb kvadratisk (shaped like a square) · el ορθογώνιος (forming a right angle) · nn firkanta (socially conventional) · es momio (socially conventional) · es cuadrado (socially conventional) · hu négyzet (used in the names of units) · ca quadrat (shaped like a square) · pt perpendicular (forming a right angle) · pt quadrado (used in the names of units)
From Middle English square, sqware, squyre; from Old French esquarre, esquerre, (modern French équerre), from Vulgar Latin *exquadra, from Latin ex- + quadro, from quadrus (compare English quad and quadra). Doublet of squad and squadra.
Displaced Old English fēowerecge (fēower nominative + ecg accusative, as in "four-edged").
Meanings
Directly.
Staash tipped up the rim of his hat and looked me square in the eyes as the cigarette dangled from his lips. 2012, Allan A. Zarbock, Nobody, page 211:
From Middle English square, sqware, squyre; from Old French esquarre, esquerre, (modern French équerre), from Vulgar Latin *exquadra, from Latin ex- + quadro, from quadrus (compare English quad and quadra). Doublet of squad and squadra.
Displaced Old English fēowerecge (fēower nominative + ecg accusative, as in "four-edged").
Meanings
A polygon with four straight sides of equal length and four right angles; an equilateral rectangle; a regular quadrilateral.
I took refuge in the square form and exhibited a picture which consisted of nothing more than a black square on a white field. 1927, Kazimir Malevich, The Non-Objective World:
Something characterized by a square, or nearly square, form. ▸ A cell in a grid.
You may not move a piece to a square already occupied by one of your own pieces.
Something characterized by a square, or nearly square, form. ▸ A square piece, part, or surface.
a square of glass
Something characterized by a square, or nearly square, form. ▸ The front of a woman's dress over the bosom, usually worked or embroidered.
(Canada, US) Something characterized by a square, or nearly square, form. ▸ A dessert cut into rectangular pieces, or a piece of such a dessert.
Something characterized by a square, or nearly square, form. ▸ A certain number of lines, forming a portion of a column, nearly square; used chiefly in reckoning the prices of advertisements in newspapers.
An L- or T-shaped tool used to place objects or draw lines at right angles.
There are so many uses for the square, in fact, that a new model will usually come complete with a booklet enumerating its applications. a. 2018, Bob Vila, “Carpenter squares”, in Bob Vila, archived from the original on 26 Jan 2008:
(figuratively, obsolete) An L- or T-shaped tool used to place objects or draw lines at right angles. ▸ A true measure, standard, or pattern.
An open space or park, often in the center of a town, not necessarily square in shape, often containing trees, seating and other features pleasing to the eye.
The statue of Alexander the Seventh stands in the large square of the town. 1705, J[oseph] Addison, Remarks on Several Parts of Italy, &c. in the Years 1701, 1702, 1703, London: […] Jacob Tonson, […], →OCLC:
You're not in Wisconsin, Dave. The big story isn't about a cow wandering into the town square. 1995 October 10, NewsRadio, season 2, episode 3:
(in street names or addresses, often) An open space or park, often in the center of a town, not necessarily square in shape, often containing trees, seating and other features pleasing to the eye. ▸ A street surrounding a public square or plaza.
The product of a number or quantity multiplied by itself; the second power of a number, value, term or expression.
64 is the square of 8.
Newton's law of gravitation, universally accepted by scientists even in the face of a fifth force, showed that any two objects attract each other at a rate directly proportional to their masses and inversely proportional to the square of their distance apart. 1989 May, John Boslough, “Searching for the Secrets of Gravity”, in National Geographic, volume 175, number 5, pages 573-574:
A pattern to be matched that consists of a subpattern repeated, such as "papa" or "wikiwiki".
Squares cannot be easily matched by regular expressions.
(qualifier:military formation) A body of troops drawn up in a square formation.
The sand of the desert is sodden red,—
Red with the wreck of a square that broke;—
The Gatling's jammed and the Colonel dead,
And the regiment blind with dust and smoke. 1897, Henry Newbolt, Vitae Lampada:
1818, quoted in Christopher Kelly, History of the French Revolution and of the Wars produced by that Memorable Event
The French cavalry, in proof armour, repeatedly charged our squares, their cannon opening chasms; but the British infantry, though greatly diminished, were inflexible and impenetrable to the last.
After disastrous attempts to break the Russian squares, during which, Longworth recounts, ‘the best and the bravest of the warriors fell victim to their own rashness’, the Circassians likewise changed their tactics. 1990, Peter Hopkirk, The Great Game, Folio Society, published 2010, page 144:
he alone
Dealt on lieutenantry, and no practice had
In the brave squares of war c. 1606–1607 (date written), William Shakespeare, “The Tragedie of Anthonie and Cleopatra”, in Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies […] (First Folio), London: […] Isaac Iaggard, and Ed[ward] Blount, published 1623, →OCLC, [Act III, scene xi]:
(dated, qualifier:1950s slang) A socially conventional or conservative person; a person who has little or no interest in the latest fads or trends.
Why do you always wear a tie? Don't be such a square!
Good looks are important, but good looks don't hold if he's a square. 1949 March 11, “R.S.V.P.”, in Courier, volume xv, number 9, Harvey, IL: Thornton Junior College, page 3:
The sad sack was a sitting on a block of stone
Way over in the corner weepin' all alone.
The warden said, hey, buddy, don't you be no square
If you can't find a partner, use a wooden chair. 1957, “Jailhouse Rock”, Elvis Presley (music):
She said: Wow! What a square! Don't you dig the scene? / Daddy Cool's playing his piano machine! 1957, Frank Slay, Bob Crewe, “Daddy Cool”, performed by The Rays:
(UK) The symbol # on a telephone; hash.
Enter your account number followed by a square.
The central area of a cricket field, with one or more pitches of which only one is used at a time.
An ideal playing area is roughly circular in shape with a central area, the cricket square, measuring 27.44 metres by 27.44 metres and boundaries 45.75 metres from the sides of the square.
A unit of measurement of area, equal to a 10 foot by 10 foot square, i.e. 100 square feet or roughly 9.3 square metres. Used in real estate for the size of a house or its rooms, though progressively being replaced by square metres in metric countries such as Australia.
2007, Your Estate advertisement for Grindelwald Tasmania http://www.yourestate.com.au/property_12753.php
The house is very large and open and boasts 39 squares of living space plus over 13 squares of decking area on 3 sides and 17 squares of garage and workshop downstairs.
2006, Macquarie Bank (Australia), press release Macquarie releases Real Estate Market Outlook 2006 - "The World Squared", 21 June 2006 http://www.macquarie.com.au/au/about_macquarie/media_centre/20060621.htm
Just as the basic unit of real estate measurement across the world is the square
A unit used in measuring roof area equivalent to 100 square feet (9.29 m²) of roof area. The materials for roofing jobs are often billed by the square in the United States.
A mortarboard.
(US, abbreviation, alt-of, colloquial, ellipsis) Ellipsis of square meal.
Even when times were tough, we got three squares a day.
(archaic) Exact proportion; justness of workmanship and conduct; regularity; rule.
1594-1597, Richard Hooker, Of the Lawes of Ecclesiastical Politie
They of Galatia [were] much more out of square.
I have not kept my square. c. 1606–1607 (date written), William Shakespeare, “The Tragedie of Anthonie and Cleopatra”, in Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies […] (First Folio), London: […] Isaac Iaggard, and Ed[ward] Blount, published 1623, →OCLC, [Act II, scene iii]:
The relation of harmony, or exact agreement; equality; level.
We live not on the square with such as these. 1693, Decimus Junius Juvenalis, John Dryden, transl., “[The Satires of Decimus Junius Juvenalis.] The Third Satyr”, in The Satires of Decimus Junius Juvenalis. Translated into English Verse. […] Together with the Satires of Aulus Persius Flaccus. […], London: […] Jacob Tonson […], →OCLC:
The position of planets distant ninety degrees from each other; a quadrate.
(dated) The act of squaring, or quarrelling; a quarrel.
(slang) Cigarette.
A vat used for fermentation.
(Multicultural-London-English, slang) A well-defined torso.
She wanna talk about feelings
But I don't believe in love
Just give me your square 2019 July 24, “No Feelings”, Quezgo (lyrics)Link Up TV, 0:14–0:19:
Get on your knees and suck this dick
Get on your knees and slop this quick
Bro knows I could never put trust in a bitch (Never)
Me and Tz like Lilo ’n Stitch
So don’t hesitate to swing me your shit
Yeah, swing your square 2021 November 18, “I Love to Scam”, Tankz (lyrics), 2:01–2:10:
I don’t really care about them man there
Tell the bad b “just swing your square” 2021 September 29, “Bars At The Sesh [S3.E7]”, #D15 Trigz (lyrics)Dearfxch TV, 1:05–1:08:
ga cearnóg (type of polygon) · pl ekier (tool) · de Feld (cell in a grid) · nn kvadrat (second power) · ca escaire (tool) · he כִּכָּר (open space in a town) · qu t'asra (type of polygon) · gd ceàrnag (type of polygon) · it quadrato (second power) · mi tapawhā rite (type of polygon) · ms orang skema (slang: socially conventional person) · sh vìnkl (tool) · grc τετράγωνον (type of polygon) · km ការ៉េ (type of polygon) · hu derékszög (tool) · tr murabba (type of polygon) · ar مُرَبَّع (type of polygon) · fr carré (type of polygon) · ja 平方形 (type of polygon) · nrf êtchèrre (tool) · sv fyrkant (type of polygon) · frp quarrá (type of polygon) · sh kvàdrāt m drȕgī stȅpēn (second power) · za gvangjcangz (open space in a town) · nrf cârré (type of polygon) · ps مربع (type of polygon) · it squadra (body of troops in a square formation) · km វាល (open space in a town) · pl kątownik (tool) · grc τετράδειον (open space in a town) · it equilibrato (slang: socially conventional person) · ota میدان (open space in a town) · ja 広場 (open space in a town) · bg решетка (the # symbol on a telephone) · te వర్గం (second power) · nl plein (open space in a town) · uz maydon (open space in a town) · ast cuadru (type of polygon) · vo feled (cell in a grid) · fr square (open space in a town) · yi קוואַדראַט (type of polygon) · tr kale (body of troops in a square formation) · ja 曲尺 (tool) · ml വർഗ്ഗം (second power) · hu négyzet (second power) · mr चौकोन (type of polygon) · it squadra (tool) · wuu 廣場 /广场 (open space in a town) · hy հրապարակ (open space in a town) · ar مَيْدَان (open space in a town) · hi चौकोर (type of polygon) · ca quadrat (second power) · ab ашҭа (open space in a town) · nl vierkant (type of polygon) · es cuadro (type of polygon) · ca quadrat (type of polygon) · kn ಚೌಕ (type of polygon) · sv fyrkant (cell in a grid) · sv brädgård (the # symbol on a telephone) · kr sǝkoya (type of polygon) · oc plaça (open space in a town) · sh kvàdrāt (type of polygon) · be квадра́т (type of polygon) · de Doppelkreuz (the # symbol on a telephone) · nb kvadrat (second power) · ja 番号記号 (the # symbol on a telephone) · hu cella (cell in a grid) · is réttskeið (tool) · zu isikwele (type of polygon) · fi suorakulma (tool) · it casella (cell in a grid) · es cuadrado (second power) · gu ચોરસ (type of polygon) · alt сквер (open space in a town) · tr muhallebi çocuğu (slang: socially conventional person) · ang tēge (open space in a town) · fi rööki (slang: cigarette) · ru решётка (the # symbol on a telephone) · kum квадрат (type of polygon) · ko 제곱 (second power) · tr dörtgen (type of polygon) · tr gönye (tool) · nn firkanttast (the # symbol on a telephone) · nb torg (open space in a town) · th สี่เหลี่ยมจัตุรัส (type of polygon) · de Spießer (slang: socially conventional person) · fi jäykkis (slang: socially conventional person) · mr चौरस (unit of measurement of area) · pl skwer (open space in a town) · cop ⲕⲓⲙⲉⲛⲁⲥⲓⲟⲛ (open space in a town) · mr चौरस (type of polygon) · ml സമചതുരം (type of polygon) · he סולמית (the # symbol on a telephone) · gl rueiro (open space in a town) · cy petryal (type of polygon) · sk námestie (open space in a town) · grc ἀλφάδιον (tool) · tg мураббаъ (type of polygon) · be пляц (open space in a town) · is ferningur (the # symbol on a telephone) · nl veld (cell in a grid) · nl kwadraat (second power) · el τετραγωνικό (unit for measuring roof area) · ka კვადრატი (type of polygon) · gv faaie (open space in a town) · cs úhelník (tool) · gag meydan (open space in a town) · it cancelletto (the # symbol on a telephone) · fi toinen potenssi (second power) · sh prȁv ȕgao (tool) · fi ruutu (cell in a grid) · xh isikwere (type of polygon) · es aguacatado (slang: socially conventional person) · pl normik (slang: socially conventional person) · lo ລານ (open space in a town) · ms dataran (open space in a town) · ru по́ле (cell in a grid) · pl kwadrat (second power) · bg линеа́л (tool) · fi sata neliöjalkaa (unit of measurement of area) · srn pren (open space in a town) · zza werte (diq) (central area of a cricket field) · ms segi empat sama (type of polygon) · th จัตุรัส (type of polygon) · it quadrato (slang: socially conventional person) · ms hash (the # symbol on a telephone) · es escuadra (tool) · nap chiazza (open space in a town) · pt jogo da velha (the # symbol on a telephone) · ig skwịà (type of polygon) · ca quadre (body of troops in a square formation) · ur مُرَبَّع (type of polygon) · nv dikʼą́ (type of polygon) · fi neliö (type of polygon) · my စတုရန်း (type of polygon) · nl plaats (open space in a town) · sl trg (open space in a town) · hu derékszögmérő (tool) · sh вѝнкл (tool) · ca carca (slang: socially conventional person) · gd cromadh-dìreach (tool) · et plats (open space in a town) · mr वर्ग (second power) · ig nkom̀gbàànọǹhà (type of polygon) · mt kwadru (type of polygon) · nl tweede macht (second power) · ru пло́щадь (open space in a town) · ko 평방 (second power) · grc προσαγωγεῖον (tool) · tt квадрат (type of polygon) · sv torg (open space in a town) · bn বর্গ (type of polygon) · gv kerrin (type of polygon) · qu kancha (open space in a town) · la norma (tool) · az kvadrat (type of polygon) · ps ميدان (open space in a town) · ca coixinet (the # symbol on a telephone) · lo ຈັດຕຸລັດ (type of polygon) · uk плац (open space in a town) · bg квадра́тче (cell in a grid) · mfe kare (type of polygon) · fo torg (open space in a town) · ast cuadráu (type of polygon) · pt quadrado (type of polygon) · da torv (open space in a town) · de Quadrat (second power) · hu mező (cell in a grid) · la quadrātum (type of polygon) · be пло́шча (open space in a town) · sh пра̏в у̏гао (tool) · gl praza (open space in a town) · de Normalo (slang: socially conventional person) · arz مربع (type of polygon) · lo ຈະຕຸຣັດ (type of polygon) · ko 이승 (second power) · ne वर्ग (type of polygon) · no A4 (slang: socially conventional person) · fr carré (the # symbol on a telephone) · sh tȑg (open space in a town) · sv ruta (cell in a grid) · pl węgielnica (tool) · sv fyrkant (the # symbol on a telephone) · ru сквер (open space in a town) · es momio (slang: socially conventional person) · ug كۋادرات (type of polygon) · ba майҙан (open space in a town) · tr kare (second power) · kk шаршы (type of polygon) · zza dolık (front of a woman's dress) · nb vinkelhake (tool) · dsb kwadrat (type of polygon) · da kvadrat (type of polygon) · lo ຈັດຕຸລັດ (open space in a town) · da firkant (the # symbol on a telephone) · fr place (open space in a town) · szl kwadrat (type of polygon) · sh ква̀дра̄т (second power) · nb firkanttast (the # symbol on a telephone) · bin àdẹ́lẹ̏ (type of polygon) · gd ceàrnan (type of polygon) · ml ചത്വരം (open space in a town) · fi ruutu (dessert cut into rectangular pieces, or a piece of such a dessert) · kum дёртгюл (type of polygon) · ro cvadrat (type of polygon) · eo kvadrato (type of polygon) · is ferningur (type of polygon) · tr süt kuzusu (slang: socially conventional person) · bg квадра́т (type of polygon) · bo གྲུ་བཞི (type of polygon) · ky квадрат (type of polygon) · cmn 廣場 /广场 (open space in a town) · pt cerquilha (the # symbol on a telephone) · de Scheibe (pane of glass) · fi tori (open space in a town) · tt мәйдан (open space in a town) · nb kvadrat (type of polygon) · grc πλατεῖα (open space in a town) · ga cearnóg an bhaile (open space in a town) · ang rihtebred (tool) · cs druhá mocnina (second power) · ur مَیدان (open space in a town) · gl quinteiro (open space in a town) · pt careta (slang: socially conventional person) · vi vuông (type of polygon) · gl cadro (type of polygon) · ug مەيدان (open space in a town) · ist piassa (open space in a town) · tr iyilik timsali (slang: socially conventional person) · tr alan (cell in a grid) · wa cwåré (type of polygon) · de Platz (open space in a town) · th พลาซ่า (open space in a town) · afb مربع (type of polygon) · fi neliö (body of troops in a square formation) · mi koea (tool) · nan-hbl 廣場 /广场 (open space in a town) · fi aukio (open space in a town) · lt kampainis (tool) · cmn 正方形 (type of polygon) · sq katror (type of polygon) · nb plass (open space in a town) · gv kerrin (open space in a town) · ota مربع (type of polygon) · crh meydan (open space in a town) · sh дру̏гӣ сте̏пе̄н (second power) · hi चौक (open space in a town) · mk та́раба (the # symbol on a telephone) · sq shesh (open space in a town) · it quadrato (unit of measurement of area) · sh ква̀дра̄т (type of polygon) · ang cēapstōw (open space in a town) · es zanahorio (slang: socially conventional person) · zza kare (diq) (second power) · cs buňka (cell in a grid) · ro pătrat (cell in a grid) · rue квадра́т (type of polygon) · ko 정사각형 (type of polygon) · mn дөрвөлжин (type of polygon) · cmn 平方 (second power) · es cuadrado (type of polygon) · th จัตุรัส (open space in a town) · sk štvorec (type of polygon) · ko 광장 (open space in a town) · hu négyzet (type of polygon) · hsb kwadrat (type of polygon) · is ferningstala (second power) · pl majdan (open space in a town) · lv laukums (open space in a town) · am አደባባይ (open space in a town) · te చతురస్రం (type of polygon) · mk ква́драт (type of polygon) · km ចត្វ័ង្ស (type of polygon) · ky майдан (open space in a town) · kw pedrek (type of polygon) · pl kwadrat (type of polygon) · kk алаң (open space in a town) · bg площа́д (open space in a town) · izh kvadratti (type of polygon) · lt kvadratas (type of polygon) · gd ceàrnag (open space in a town) · fi risuaita (the # symbol on a telephone) · tr meydan (open space in a town) · ca casella (cell in a grid) · ta கட்டம் (type of polygon) · tg майдон (open space in a town) · fi neliö (central area of a cricket field) · gl cadrado (type of polygon) · frp êquarra (tool) · uk пло́ща (open space in a town) · hu szögvonalzó (tool) · ro pătrat (second power) · is torg (open space in a town) · ru плац (open space in a town) · es soso (slang: socially conventional person) · mi tahua (open space in a town) · nn plass (open space in a town) · cdo 廣場 /广场 (open space in a town) · vi quảng trường (open space in a town) · uk майда́н (open space in a town) · lt kvadratas (second power) · ijc fánụ́ (type of polygon) · cs náměstí (open space in a town) · ru кле́тка (cell in a grid) · hu tér (open space in a town) · grc πλινθίον (body of troops in a square formation) · cy sgwâr (type of polygon) · hu kettős kereszt (the # symbol on a telephone) · sl kvadrat (type of polygon) · tr kare (the # symbol on a telephone) · cy pedrongl (type of polygon) · ro piață (open space in a town) · el τετράγωνο (type of polygon) · bg квадра́т (second power) · es casilla (cell in a grid) · it quadrato (unit for measuring roof area) · id pagar (the # symbol on a telephone) · nn torg (open space in a town) · la forum (open space in a town) · sv ruta (pane of glass) · tk meýdan (open space in a town) · grc γωνία (tool) · fr case (cell in a grid) · uz kvadrat (type of polygon) · ur چَوک (open space in a town) · he כיכר (open space in a town) · it quadrato (type of polygon) · ko 곡척 (tool) · alt квадрат (type of polygon) · nl hekje (the # symbol on a telephone) · fi neliö (second power) · id persegi (type of polygon) · ja 正方形 (type of polygon) · hu begyöpösödött/begyepesedett alak (slang: socially conventional person) · fi spaddu (slang: cigarette) · et ruut (type of polygon) · cs pole (cell in a grid) · tr hane (cell in a grid) · haw huinahā kaulike (type of polygon) · es cabeza cuadrada (slang: socially conventional person) · ru обыва́тель (slang: socially conventional person) · cs čtverec (cell in a grid) · hak 廣場 /广场 (open space in a town) · hu négyzet (cell in a grid) · th ตาราง (cell in a grid) · es numeral (the # symbol on a telephone) · pt praça (open space in a town) · zza meydan (open space in a town) · pt quadrado (slang: socially conventional person) · mr चौक (open space in a town) · tk kwadrat (type of polygon) · ro echer (tool) · de Stino (slang: socially conventional person) · bg пло́щад (open space in a town) · bg квадрат (unit for measuring roof area) · mk ква́драт (second power) · sw kipeo cha pili (second power) · it convenzionale (slang: socially conventional person) · fi suhta (exact proportion; justness of workmanship and conduct; regularity; rule) · sv vinkelhake (tool) · sh тр̏г (open space in a town) · et väljak (open space in a town) · nl markt (open space in a town) · el πλατεία (open space in a town) · el γνώμονας (tool) · zza çarkusi (type of polygon) · la quadrum (type of polygon) · lv kvadrāts (type of polygon) · nn kvadrat (type of polygon) · sl kvadrat (second power) · pl plac (open space in a town) · fi sopusointu (harmony or exact agreement) · ms petak (type of polygon) · alt тӧрттолык (type of polygon) · lt aikštė (open space in a town) · ru мещани́н (slang: socially conventional person) · tr kare (type of polygon) · mn талбай (open space in a town) · tl kuwadrado (type of polygon) · af vierkant (type of polygon) · vo cögafeled (cell in a grid) · sh та̀раба (the # symbol on a telephone) · pt quadrado (unit of measurement of area) · fr dièse (the # symbol on a telephone) · fr équerre (tool) · vi hình vuông (type of polygon) · cs čtverec (type of polygon) · kk квадрат (type of polygon) · ru каре́ (body of troops in a square formation) · fi ruutu (pane of glass) · fa-ira مُرَبَّع (type of polygon) · es carroza (slang: socially conventional person) · pt esquadro (tool) · lv skvērs (open space in a town) · ca plaça (open space in a town) · hi वर्गाकार (type of polygon) · hy քառակուսի (type of polygon) · ml കവല (open space in a town) · id lapangan (open space in a town) · eo placo (open space in a town) · th สแควร์ (open space in a town) · ja 井桁 (the # symbol on a telephone) · ga uimhir chearnach (second power) · cs křížek (the # symbol on a telephone) · ky чарчы (type of polygon) · es almohadilla (the # symbol on a telephone) · su pasékon (tool) · ha mùr̃abbàʼī (type of polygon) · fi ruutu (the # symbol on a telephone) · ht kare (type of polygon) · cy sgwâr (open space in a town) · nn vinkelhake (tool) · be майда́н (open space in a town) · es plaza (open space in a town) · sv kvadrat (type of polygon) · de Quadrat (type of polygon) · de Schachfeld (cell in a grid) · prs مَیْدَان (open space in a town) · gd ceàrn-righailt (tool) · ja 自乗 (second power) · eu karratu (type of polygon) · fi sata neliöjalkaa (unit for measuring roof area) · ro pătrat (type of polygon) · ta சதுரம் (type of polygon) · ru уго́льник (tool) · ko 자승 (second power) · ru квадра́т (second power) · ja マス (cell in a grid) · hu nyárspolgár (slang: socially conventional person) · vi bình phương (second power) · sv kvadrat (second power) · af plein (open space in a town) · es cartabón (45º) (tool) · io quadrato (type of polygon) · sh vinkla (tool) · bg квадрат (unit of measurement of area) · ja 二乗 (second power) · ru квадра́т (type of polygon) · grc γνώμων (tool) · ms kaki persegi (unit for measuring roof area) · nl winkelhaak (tool) · it sagrato (open space in a town) · he רִבּוּעַ (type of polygon) · fa-ira مِیْدان (open space in a town) · ar كُوس (tool) · he רְחָבָה (open space in a town) · fr lambda (slang: socially conventional person) · uli kaahool’ (type of polygon) · tl parisukat (type of polygon) · bg каре́ (body of troops in a square formation) · ky аянт (open space in a town) · yue 廣場 /广场 (open space in a town) · ja 平方 (second power) · uk квадра́т (type of polygon) · sh винкла (tool) · ms kuasa dua (second power) · az meydan (open space in a town) · mk пло́штад (open space in a town) · ka მოედანი (open space in a town) · ne चोक (open space in a town) · mn тэгш дөрвөлжин (type of polygon) · prs مُرَبَّع (type of polygon) · sv fyrkant (the # symbol on a telephone) · fi miehusta (front of a woman's dress) · ms sesiku (tool) · mn квадрат (type of polygon) · bg ъ́гълник (tool) · fr carré (second power) · es carca (slang: socially conventional person) · ota قلعه (body of troops in a square formation) · cs kvadrát (second power) · el τετράγωνο (second power) · pt casa (cell in a grid) · ga hais (the # symbol on a telephone) · my ရင်ပြင် (open space in a town) · bg ви́нкел (tool) · it piazza (open space in a town) · sh tàraba (the # symbol on a telephone) · oc carrat (type of polygon) · mi marae (open space in a town) · ff sukoya (type of polygon) · kn ಚದರ (type of polygon) · yo súkúà (type of polygon) · el τετράγωνο (cell in a grid) · th ลาน (open space in a town) · el δίεση (the # symbol on a telephone) · pt quadrado (second power) · ja ナンバーサイン (the # symbol on a telephone) · tr cigara (slang: cigarette) · fi neliön muotoinen palsta-alue (printing: portion of a column) · ms seorang yang sosialnya konvensional (slang: socially conventional person)
From Middle English square, sqware, squyre; from Old French esquarre, esquerre, (modern French équerre), from Vulgar Latin *exquadra, from Latin ex- + quadro, from quadrus (compare English quad and quadra). Doublet of squad and squadra.
Displaced Old English fēowerecge (fēower nominative + ecg accusative, as in "four-edged").
Meanings
(transitive) To adjust so as to align with or place at a right angle to something else; in particular
The casting was mounted on a milling machine so that its sides could be squared.
(transitive) To adjust so as to align with or place at a right angle to something else; in particular: ▸ To place at a right angle to the mast or keel.
to square the yards
(transitive) To adjust so as to align with or place at a right angle to something else; in particular: ▸ To rotate the oars so that they are perpendicular to the water.
(ambitransitive) To resolve or reconcile; to suit or fit.
[…] the process theist may not regard the killing of non-human animals for food or other reasons as generally acceptable. Call the process thinker who regards the killing of non-human animals for food as (usually) morally wrong a zoophile. Even if the zoophile regards human beings as more capable of experience and insight than another animals, and as therefore more valuable than other animals, she may regard non-human animals as moral patients. She may well not regard predatory animals as full moral agents; she will then have no reason to see their killing of other animals for food as itself morally wrong, because predators are not themselves subject to moral assessments. But she may still find it difficult to square God's encouragement of predation with an attractive account of divine goodness. 2006, Gary Chartier, “Non-Human Animals and Process Theodicy”, in Religious Studies, volume 41, number 1, page 10:
John can square this question up for us.
These results just don't square with what we expected.
(transitive) To adjust or adapt so as to bring into harmony with something.
Square my trial
To my proportioned strength. 1634 October 9 (first performance; Gregorian calendar), [John Milton], edited by H[enry] Lawes, A Maske Presented at Ludlow Castle, 1634: […] [Comus], London: […] [Augustine Matthews] for Hvmphrey Robinson, […], published 1637, →OCLC; reprinted as Comus: […] (Dodd, Mead & Company’s Facsimile Reprints of Rare Books; Literature Series; no. I), New York, N.Y.: Dodd, Mead & Company, 1903, →OCLC:
to square our actions by the opinions of others
I cannot square the results of the experiment with my hypothesis.
(transitive) Of a value, term, or expression, to multiply by itself; to raise to the second power.
(transitive) To draw, with a pair of compasses and a straightedge only, a square with the same area as.
square the circle
(transitive) To tile (completely fill) with squares.
(slang) To settle; to put right.
'Sounds fine,' said Bond. 'I've talked to M and he'll square Washington if there's any trouble. Look after yourself too,' he added. 1954, Ian Fleming, “True or False?”, in Live and Let Die, London: Pan Books, published 1957, page 90:
To make a short low pass sideways across the pitch
First, former Toffee Mikel Arteta sent Walcott racing clear but instead of shooting he squared towards Ramsey, who was foiled by Tony Hibbert. 2011 December 10, David Ornstein, “Arsenal 1 - 0 Everton”, in BBC Sport:
(archaic) To take opposing sides; to quarrel.
To accord or agree exactly; to be consistent with; to suit; to fit.
No works shall find acceptance […] that square not truly with the Scripture plan. 1782, William Cowper, Charity:
(obsolete) To go to opposite sides; to take an attitude of offense or defense, or of defiance; to quarrel.
Are you such fools / To square for this? c. 1588–1593 (date written), William Shakespeare, “The Lamentable Tragedy of Titus Andronicus”, in Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies […] (First Folio), London: […] Isaac Iaggard, and Ed[ward] Blount, published 1623, →OCLC, [Act II, scene i]:
To take a boxing attitude; often with up or off.
There we stood, well squared up before it, shoulder to shoulder, and foot to foot, with our hands behind us, not budging an inch. 1860 December – 1861 August, Charles Dickens, Great Expectations […], volume (please specify |volume=I to III), London: Chapman and Hall, […], published October 1861, →OCLC:
To form with four sides and four right angles.
A stately pallace built of squared bricke,
Which cunningly was without morter laid 1590, Edmund Spenser, “Book I, Canto IV”, in The Faerie Queene. […], London: […] [John Wolfe] for William Ponsonbie, →OCLC:
To form with right angles and straight lines, or flat surfaces.
Everything on his writing desk was squared off: blotter, paper knife, pen rack. 2002, William Boyd, Any Human Heart:
to square mason's work
To compare with, or reduce to, any given measure or standard.
to square the general sex By Cressid's rule c. 1602 (date written), William Shakespeare, “The Tragedie of Troylus and Cressida”, in Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies […] (First Folio), London: […] Isaac Iaggard, and Ed[ward] Blount, published 1623, →OCLC, [Act V, scene ii]:
To hold a quartile position respecting.
the icy Goat, the Crab that square the Scales 1697, Thomas Creech, The five books of M. Manilius containing a system of the ancient astronomy and astrology, done into English verse:
fr élever au carré (math: to multiply by itself) · nn kvadrere (math: to multiply by itself) · fi jalustaa poikittain (nautical: to place at right angles with the keel) · fi ottaa nyrkkeilyasento (to take a boxing attitude) · bg подравня (to adjust so as to align with or place at a right angle) · bg схождам се (to be consistent with) · fi asettaa neliön muotoon (to form with four sides and four right angles) · fi asettua poikkiteloin (to take an attitude of offense or defense, or of defiance) · ru согласо́вывать (to adjust or adapt so as to bring into harmony with something) · fi syöttää poikittain (soccer: to make a short low pass sideways across the pitch) · fi muotoilla neliöksi (to form with right angles and straight lines) · el υψώνω στο τετράγωνο (math: to multiply by itself) · fi korottaa toiseen potenssiin (math: to multiply by itself) · es elevar al cuadrado (math: to multiply by itself) · nl oplossen (to resolve — see also resolve) · nb løse (to resolve — see also resolve) · ja 二乗する (math: to multiply by itself) · ms kuasa dua (math: to multiply by itself) · fi korottaa neliöön (math: to multiply by itself) · bg повди́гам на квадра́т (math: to multiply by itself) · fi noudattaa (to be consistent with) · ca escairar (to adjust so as to align with or place at a right angle) · nn løyse (to resolve — see also resolve) · ca arreglar (to adjust so as to align with or place at a right angle) · fi suoristaa (to adjust so as to align with or place at a right angle) · grc τετραγωνίζω (math: to multiply by itself) · es cuadrar (to resolve — see also resolve) · fi olla jonkin mukainen (to be consistent with) · ia resolver (to resolve — see also resolve) · fi olla suorassa kulmassa ... nähden (astrology: to hold a quartile position respecting) · uk узго́джувати (to adjust or adapt so as to bring into harmony with something) · fi ratkaista (to resolve — see also resolve) · fi selittää (to adjust or adapt so as to bring into harmony with something) · id pangkat dua (math: to multiply by itself) · es resolver (to resolve — see also resolve) · fi kääntää vetoasentoon (rowing: to rotate oars to be perpendicular to the water) · fi muotoilla neliöksi (to form with four sides and four right angles) · pt alinhar (to adjust so as to align with or place at a right angle) · pt elevar ao quadrado (math: to multiply by itself) · ja 自乗する (math: to multiply by itself) · de quadrieren (math: to multiply by itself) · ru согласо́вываться (to be consistent with) · fi rinnastaa (to compare with, or reduce to, any given measure or standard) · nl kwadrateren (math: to multiply by itself) · es alinear (to adjust so as to align with or place at a right angle) · uk узго́дити (to adjust or adapt so as to bring into harmony with something) · grc τετραγωνίζω (geometry: to draw a square with same area as something else) · mi tapawhā (to adjust so as to align with or place at a right angle) · ia quadrar (math: to multiply by itself) · ca elevar al quadrat (math: to multiply by itself) · nb kvadrere (math: to multiply by itself) · grc τετραγωνίζω (to adjust so as to align with or place at a right angle) · fi sovittaa (to adjust or adapt so as to bring into harmony with something) · pl podnosić do drugiej potęgi (math: to multiply by itself) · pt resolver (to resolve — see also resolve) · nl tot de tweede macht verheffen (math: to multiply by itself) · eo kvadratigi (math: to multiply by itself) · id kuadrat (math: to multiply by itself) · pl podnosić do kwadratu (math: to multiply by itself) · bg подравнявам (to adjust so as to align with or place at a right angle) · da kvadrere (math: to multiply by itself) · fi verrata (to compare with, or reduce to, any given measure or standard) · bg съгласувам (to adjust or adapt so as to bring into harmony with something) · fi antaa poikittaissyöttö (soccer: to make a short low pass sideways across the pitch) · bg съгласувам (to resolve — see also resolve) · mi pūrua (math: to multiply by itself) · fi asettaa neliön muotoon (to form with right angles and straight lines) · cs umocnit (math: to multiply by itself) · fi kääntää lapa pystyyn (rowing: to rotate oars to be perpendicular to the water) · sv kvadrera (math: to multiply by itself) · fi neliöidä (geometry: to draw a square with same area as something else) · el κανονίζω (to adjust or adapt so as to bring into harmony with something) · el εξισώνω (to adjust so as to align with or place at a right angle)