Definition

1. Adjective: Having five sides; possessing five distinct straight edges that form a closed two-dimensional shape.

Usage

• The primary and only meaning of "five-sided" is to describe a polygon or any flat shape that has exactly five sides.
• It is a compound adjective formed from the number "five" and the adjective "sided."
• It is typically used attributively (before a noun) or predicatively (after a linking verb).

Examples

• Attributive use (before a noun):
  • The children drew a five-sided star on the poster.
  • A pentagon is a classic example of a five-sided figure.
• Predicative use (after a linking verb):
  • This geometric shape is five-sided.
  • The new courtyard design will be five-sided.

Advanced Usage

• Technical/Mathematical Context: In geometry, "five-sided" is synonymous with "pentagonal." However, "five-sided" is more descriptive for general audiences, while "pentagonal" is the formal geometric term.
  • The lot is an irregular five-sided polygon. (General description)
  • The building features a pentagonal atrium. (Formal/architectural term)

Variants and Related Words

• Pentagon (n): A plane figure with five sides and five angles.
• Pentagonal (adj): Having the form of a pentagon; five-sided. This is the direct adjectival form of "pentagon."
• Five-a-side (adj): A term used in sports (like soccer) to denote a version played with five players per team. This is a different, unrelated compound term.

Synonyms

• Pentagonal: This is the closest synonym, specifically meaning "having five sides and five angles."

Notes

• "Five-sided" is a specific numerical descriptor. Other similar constructions include (triangular), (quadrilateral), and (hexagonal).
• It describes only the property of having five sides and does not imply anything about the lengths of the sides or the size of the angles. A regular pentagon (with equal sides and angles) and an irregular pentagon are both "five-sided."

Adjective

1. having five sides