two-dimensional

[too-di-men-shuh-nl, -dahy-]

adjective

1. having the dimensions of height and width only.

   a two-dimensional surface.

2. (of a work of art) having its elements organized in terms of a flat surface, especially emphasizing the vertical and horizontal character of the picture plane.

   the two-dimensional structure of a painting.

3. (in a literary work) shallow, unconvincing, or superficial in execution.

   a novel having two-dimensional characters.

two-dimensional

adjective

1. of, having, or relating to two dimensions, usually describable in terms of length and breadth or length and height

2. lying on a plane; having an area but not enclosing any volume

3. lacking in depth, as characters in a literary work

4. (of painting or drawing) lacking the characteristics of form or depth

Other Word Forms

• two-dimensionality noun
• two-dimensionally adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of two-dimensional¹

First recorded in 1895–1900

Example Sentences

Mike Judge and Greg Daniels built their two-dimensional Texas Everyman to ensure we could never quite be certain.

From Salon

To say I fell in love with Wales collapses the relationship of person and place into something sentimental and two-dimensional, in a way that saying I fell in love with my partner, Marguerite, does not.

From Salon

“You get a two-dimensional portrayal. So, Homelander is a conglomerate of tyrants.”

From Los Angeles Times

The irregular shape, however two-dimensional, seems to hover and tilt in dynamic space.

From Los Angeles Times

As the strobing begins, and even though my eyes are closed, I see swirling two-dimensional geometric patterns.

From BBC