-gon
suffix
UK/ɡɒn/US/ɡɑːn/ or /ɡɒn/
Used to form nouns referring to plane figures with a specified number of angles or sides (from Greek ‘gōnía,’ meaning ‘corner’ or ‘angle’). Examples include ‘pentagon’ (five-sided figure) and ‘hexagon’ (six-sided figure).
Example Sentences
Any polygon name ending with '-gon' indicates the number of sides or angles it contains, such as octagon or decagon.
In geometry, the term '-gon' helps classify shapes like pentagons, hexagons, and heptagons based on their side count.
A regular polygon, whether a triangle or an enneagon, features sides of equal length and internal angles of equal measure.
Mathematicians often use suffixes like '-gon' and '-hedral' to categorize two-dimensional and three-dimensional figures.
A nonagon, sometimes called an enneagon, has nine sides and is one of the many shapes designated by this suffix.
Advanced geometry concepts explore star polygons, which also contain '-gon' in their names but have intersecting sides and complex angles.
The naming pattern for -gon shapes continues indefinitely, allowing mathematicians to describe polygons with arbitrarily large side counts (e.g., 100-gon, 1000-gon).
Understanding how '-gon' words relate to the number of sides helps clarify geometric properties, from calculating interior angles to exploring symmetry and tessellation in various polygons.
Thesaurus
Synonyms
How to Use
A suffix meaning 'angle' or 'corner,' often used in geometry.The suffix '-gon' is used in mathematical and geometric terms to describe shapes defined by a specific number of angles or sides. Examples include 'polygon' (a shape with many angles), 'pentagon' (a five-sided shape), and 'hexagon' (a six-sided shape). It provides a systematic way to name and categorize geometric figures based on their angles or sides.
Alternatives
Alternatives to '-gon' are descriptive phrases like 'shape with X sides,' but these are less precise than using the suffix (e.g., 'five-sided figure' instead of 'pentagon').
Writing
In writing, particularly in mathematical or technical contexts, '-gon' is an efficient and precise way to describe shapes and their properties. For instance, 'decagon' succinctly conveys a ten-sided figure.
Casual Conversation
In casual conversation, '-gon' terms are less common but may appear in discussions involving geometry or architecture. For simplicity, phrases like 'six-sided shape' can substitute for 'hexagon.'
