square
A flat shape with four sides that are the same length and four corners that are square angles.
A plane geometric figure with four equal straight sides and four right angles.
A large open place in a town or city, often with roads around it and buildings on the sides.
An open area in a town or city, often surrounded by buildings, where people can gather.
To change something so that it has four equal sides and four right angles.
To make something have the shape of a square.
Not modern or fun; too traditional.
Old-fashioned, conventional, or not in touch with current trends or ideas.
To move something so it is straight and even with something else.
To adjust something so that it is even, level, or aligned with another surface or reference point.
- Base: square
- Comparative: squarer
- Superlative: squarest
- Base: square
- Plural: squares
- Base: square
- 3rd Person Singular: squares
- Present Participle: squaring
- Past: squared
back to square one
1Return to starting point after failure
To have to start again from the beginning because your plan failed.
- After months of work, the deal fell through and we were back to square one.
- The project was rejected, so it's back to square one for us.
square off
1Prepare to fight or compete directly against someone
To get ready to fight or compete by facing your opponent directly.
- The two boxers squared off before the match began.
- Protesters squared off with police outside the building.
square up to [something]
1Confront something directly and bravely
To face a problem or challenge directly without avoiding it.
- It's time to square up to your responsibilities.
- She finally squared up to her fear of speaking in public.
fair and square
1Done honestly without cheating or lying
Done in an honest way, following all rules.
- He won the game fair and square.
- They beat us fair and square—no excuses.
fair and square
2Achieved honestly without cheating
Winning or succeeding in an honest way without cheating.
- She won the game fair and square.
- They beat us fair and square.