two-dimensional
adjective
two-di·men·sion·al
ˈtü-də-ˈmen(t)-sh(ə-)nəl 
also -dī-
1
: of, relating to, or having two dimensions
The most symmetric of the two-dimensional objects is the circle, because you can rotate it any amount and reflect it over any axis through its center, and it remains exactly the same …—
Tamara M. Davis
Tamara M. Davis… consider a piece of paper, a two-dimensional object. Crumple the paper up. The more tightly it's compressed, the more chaotic are its folds, and the closer the two-dimensional surface moves to becoming a three-dimensional solid.—John Briggs and F. David Peat
John Briggs and F. David Peat2
: lacking the illusion of depth : not three-dimensional
His violent, nakedly two-dimensional art can be difficult to capture in photographs, depending as it does in great measure on knotty textures and eccentric color schemes for effect.—Publishers Weekly
Publishers Weekly3
: lacking depth of characterization
two-dimensional characters
two-dimensionally
adverb
This guide … covers thoroughly and in-depth the process of representing the human form two-dimensionally on paper.
—Heather Halliday
Heather Halliday
Examples of two-dimensional in a Sentence
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That meant users saw a flat, two-dimensional image with no real depth perception – a bit like looking through a toilet paper roll due to the limited field of view.
—David Szondy
may 17, New Atlas, 17 May 2026
Whether your perception of Gen Z is shaped by real-world interactions or two-dimensional headlines, pigeonholing a whole generation is reductive.
—Alex Cooper, Fortune, 16 May 2026
Despite getting demoted from protagonist to fatality victim, Tan hints that he might not be done with Mortal Kombat — even if Cole and his now-two-dimensional noggin are.
—James Grebey, Vulture, 12 May 2026
The study also found that three-dimensional biological neural networks offer richer connectivity and greater computational potential than traditional flat two-dimensional cultures.
—Jijo Malayil, Interesting Engineering, 8 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for two-dimensional
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David Szondy
may 17, New Atlas, 17 May 2026
Whether your perception of Gen Z is shaped by real-world interactions or two-dimensional headlines, pigeonholing a whole generation is reductive.
—Alex Cooper, Fortune, 16 May 2026
Despite getting demoted from protagonist to fatality victim, Tan hints that he might not be done with Mortal Kombat — even if Cole and his now-two-dimensional noggin are.
—James Grebey, Vulture, 12 May 2026
The study also found that three-dimensional biological neural networks offer richer connectivity and greater computational potential than traditional flat two-dimensional cultures.
—Jijo Malayil, Interesting Engineering, 8 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for two-dimensional
Cite this Entry
“Two-dimensional.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/two-dimensional. Accessed 21 May. 2026.
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