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aspect

/ˌæˈspɛkt/

/ˈæspɛkt/

Other forms: aspects

Aspect means a part or feature of something. If you are going to vote for a candidate, you should first learn about the various aspects of her political agenda.

At the heart of the word aspect is the Latin specere "look" (think spectacles). Later, the word became connected to the idea of what can be seen from a particular position. Whether that means you can see all of something (all aspects) or only part (one aspect) depends on where you are standing and how hard you are looking.

Definitions of aspect
  1. noun
    a characteristic to be considered
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    type of:
    characteristic, discriminant
    a distinguishing quality
  2. noun
    a distinct feature or element in a problem
    synonyms: facet
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    types:
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    side
    an aspect of something (as contrasted with some other implied aspect)
    sector, sphere
    a particular aspect of life or activity
    surface
    a superficial aspect as opposed to the real nature of something
    downside
    a negative aspect of something that is generally positive
    hand
    one of two sides of an issue
    department
    a specialized sphere of knowledge
    type of:
    characteristic, feature
    a prominent attribute or aspect of something
  3. noun
    the visual percept of a region
    synonyms: panorama, prospect, scene, view, vista
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    types:
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    background, ground
    the part of a scene (or picture) that lies behind objects in the foreground
    coast
    the area within view
    exposure
    aspect resulting from the direction a building or window faces
    foreground
    the part of a scene that is near the viewer
    glimpse
    a brief or incomplete view
    middle distance
    the part of a scene between the foreground and the background
    side view
    a view from the side of something
    tableau
    any dramatic scene
    profile
    an outline of something (especially a human face as seen from one side)
    type of:
    visual image, visual percept
    a percept that arises from the eyes; an image in the visual system
  4. noun
    the feelings expressed on a person's face
    synonyms: expression, face, facial expression, look
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    types:
    leer
    a suggestive or sneering look or grin
    light, spark, sparkle, twinkle
    merriment expressed by a brightness or gleam or animation of countenance
    type of:
    countenance, visage
    the appearance conveyed by a person's face
  5. noun
    the beginning or duration or completion or repetition of the action of a verb
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    types:
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    perfective, perfective aspect
    the aspect of a verb that expresses a completed action
    durative, durative aspect
    the aspect of a verb that expresses its duration
    inchoative, inchoative aspect
    aspect with regard to the beginning of the action of the verb
    iterative, iterative aspect
    the aspect of the verb that expresses the repetition of an action
    imperfective, imperfective aspect
    aspect without regard to the beginning or completion of the action of the verb
    progressive aspect
    the aspect of a verb that expresses its on-going action
    type of:
    grammatical relation
    a linguistic relation established by grammar
Pronunciation
US

/ˌæˈspɛkt/

UK

/ˈæspɛkt/

DISCLAIMER: These example sentences appear in various news sources and books to reflect the usage of the word ‘aspect'. Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Vocabulary.com or its editors. Send us feedback
Word Family
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