multi sided shape crossword clue – All Crossword Answers
Welcome! If you're looking for solutions to the crossword clue "multi sided shape", you've come to the right place. Below you'll find a comprehensive list of possible answers, organized by letter count, along with helpful explanations to boost your crossword-solving skills.
Solutions for "multi sided shape crossword clue" by Letter Count
7 Letters
POLYGON: A closed, two-dimensional shape made of straight line segments.
HEXAGON: A polygon with six sides and six angles.
OCTAGON: A polygon with eight sides and eight angles.
8 Letters
PENTAGON: A polygon with five sides and five angles.
TRIANGLE: A polygon with three sides and three angles.
9 Letters
DODECAGON: A polygon with twelve sides and twelve angles.
13 Letters
QUADRILATERAL: A polygon with four sides.
More About "multi sided shape crossword clue"
The term "multi-sided shape" is a general descriptor for what mathematicians call a polygon. Polygons are fundamental geometric figures defined by a series of straight line segments connected to form a closed chain or circuit. Each segment is a "side" or "edge," and the points where the segments meet are "vertices" or "corners."
Crossword clues often hint at these shapes in various ways. Sometimes, the clue might be straightforward, asking for a generic "multi-sided shape." Other times, it will specify the number of sides, like "three-sided shape" (TRIANGLE) or "eight-sided figure" (OCTAGON). Understanding the common Greek prefixes for numbers (tri-, quad-, pent-, hex-, hept-, oct-, non-, dec-, etc.) can be incredibly helpful for these types of clues.
It's important to distinguish between 2D multi-sided shapes (polygons) and 3D multi-faced solids (polyhedra). While both are geometric, crossword clues typically refer to the flat, two-dimensional shapes when using terms like "shape" or "figure," unless explicitly stating "solid," "body," or mentioning "faces" instead of "sides."
Tips For Your Next Puzzle
- Count the Letters: For clues like "X-sided shape," the number of letters in the answer often corresponds directly to the number of sides, or the common name for that specific polygon. Always check if the letter count fits the most obvious answer first.
- Recall Greek Prefixes: Many polygon names are derived from Greek numerical prefixes (e.g., 'penta-' for five, 'hexa-' for six, 'octa-' for eight). Knowing these can quickly narrow down your options when a side count is implied.
- Consider Specificity: If the clue for a "multi-sided shape" allows for more letters than a simple "POLYGON," think about more specific types like QUADRILATERAL (4 sides) or DODECAGON (12 sides), or even subtypes like RHOMBUS or TRAPEZOID if the clue provides additional descriptive context.
- Look for Synonyms/Definitions: Sometimes, the clue won't explicitly say "multi-sided shape" but will use definitions like "geometric figure with many edges" or "closed plane shape." Think broadly about related terminology.
For more advice, visit our page on general crossword strategies.
Frequently Asked Questions
What's the most common multi-sided shape in crosswords?
POLYGON, TRIANGLE, and specific quadrilateral types like SQUARE or RECTANGLE are very common answers for multi-sided shape clues in crosswords due to their fundamental nature in geometry.
How do I know if a crossword clue refers to a 2D or 3D shape?
Clues for 3D shapes typically use words such as 'solid,' 'body,' 'figure with faces,' or explicitly mention 'faces' instead of 'sides.' If the clue simply says 'shape' or 'multi-sided shape' without further context, it almost always refers to a two-dimensional polygon.
Can a 'multi-sided shape' in a crossword have curved sides?
No, in the context of geometry and crosswords, a 'multi-sided shape' strictly refers to a polygon, which is by definition a closed, two-dimensional figure made up of straight line segments. Shapes with curved sides, like circles or ovals, are not considered multi-sided shapes.