catty-cornered
Học thuậtThân thiện
Definition
Adjective: Situated diagonally opposite; placed or oriented at an angle, especially across a street or intersection from something else.
Usage
This word describes the relative position of two objects, typically buildings or lots, that are diagonally across from each other, not directly opposite or adjacent. It is often used to describe locations in a city grid.
Examples
- The pharmacy is catty-cornered to the post office.
- They built the new bank catty-cornered from the old one.
- Our house sits catty-cornered across the intersection.
Advanced Usage
- The word is frequently used in its adverbial form, "catty-corner," without "-ed."
- The cafe is located catty-corner from the library.
- It can describe a diagonal line or path across a space.
- He walked catty-cornered across the park to save time.
Variants and Related Words
- Catty-corner (adjective/adverb): The more common shortened form.
- Kitty-corner (adjective/adverb): A common variant spelling.
- Cater-cornered (adjective): An older, less common variant.
Synonyms
- Diagonal: (adj.) Slanting; placed at an angle.
- Kitty-corner: (adj./adv.) Placed diagonally opposite.
- Cater-corner: (adj./adv.) Placed diagonally opposite.
Related Phrases
- Diagonally opposite: The most formal and precise synonym.
- The two statues are diagonally opposite each other in the square.
Adjective
- slanted across a polygon on a diagonal line
- set off in a catty-corner direction across the vacant lot