aspect
noun
as·pect ˈa-ˌspekt 
1
a
: a particular status or phase in which something appears or may be regarded
They studied every aspect of the question.
b(1)
: appearance to the eye or mind
the threatening aspect of the dark sky
(2)
: a particular appearance of the face : mien
… all that's best of dark and bright / Meet in her aspect and her eyes.
Lord Byron
Lord Byron2
a
: the position of planets or stars with respect to one another held by astrologers to influence human affairs
also : the apparent position (such as conjunction) of a body in the solar system with respect to the sun
b
: a position facing a particular direction : exposure
a house with a southern aspect
c
: the manner of presentation of a plane to a fluid through which it is moving or to a current
3
grammar
a
: the nature of the action of a verb as to its beginning, duration, completion, or repetition and without reference to its position in time
b
: a set of inflected (see inflect sense 1) verb forms that indicate aspect
4
archaic : an act of looking : gaze
aspectual
a-ˈspek-chə(-wə)l
adjective -chü(-ə)l
Did you know?
Since aspectus in Latin means "looked at", an aspect of something is basically the direction from which it's looked at. So we may say that travel is your favorite aspect of your job, or that eating well is one aspect of a healthy life. If you look at a stage set from the front, it looks completely different than from behind, where all the mechanisms are visible, and both aspects are important. The word can be very useful when you're analyzing something, and it's used a great deal in the writings of scholars.
Synonyms
- angle
- facet
- hand
- phase
- side
See all Synonyms & Antonyms 
Example Sentences
depending on what aspect of college life you consider most important, there are several colleges which might be good for you he has the aspect of a man used to giving orders and seeing them obeyed
Recent Examples on the Web There are insightful observations of the one-size-fits-all aspect of Marine induction and the ways in which prejudices turn recruits into outsiders, challenging their staying power. David Rooney, The Hollywood Reporter, 8 Sep. 2022 In terms of the Lord of the Rings fan aspect of it, my first scene with Rob Aramayo playing Elrond. Austa Somvichian-clausen, Glamour, 2 Sep. 2022 Because scent can be part of every aspect of our lives. Lindy Segal, Harper's BAZAAR, 31 Aug. 2022 The legalization of a new aspect of gambling has come to the residents of Massachusetts. John Laidler, BostonGlobe.com, 31 Aug. 2022 Which is a way of saying that Mr. Murakami is the master of an aspect of current Japanese visual culture: pushing the cute into the monstrous. Peter Plagens, WSJ, 13 Aug. 2022 For her own videos, Sulewski is in charge of every aspect of production, from the lighting to the direction to what music gets to play in the background. Madison Feller, ELLE, 9 Aug. 2022 Today’s digital interactions have become a part of every aspect of personal and professional lives, driven by the convergence of IT and operational technology, as well as digital transformation across industries. Jason Sabin, Forbes, 8 Aug. 2022 Now, Peter Krouse reports, Apex is taking advantage of another aspect of the law and going straight to the voters. Cliff Pinckard, cleveland, 5 Aug. 2022 See More
David Rooney, The Hollywood Reporter, 8 Sep. 2022 In terms of the Lord of the Rings fan aspect of it, my first scene with Rob Aramayo playing Elrond. Austa Somvichian-clausen, Glamour, 2 Sep. 2022 Because scent can be part of every aspect of our lives. Lindy Segal, Harper's BAZAAR, 31 Aug. 2022 The legalization of a new aspect of gambling has come to the residents of Massachusetts. John Laidler, BostonGlobe.com, 31 Aug. 2022 Which is a way of saying that Mr. Murakami is the master of an aspect of current Japanese visual culture: pushing the cute into the monstrous. Peter Plagens, WSJ, 13 Aug. 2022 For her own videos, Sulewski is in charge of every aspect of production, from the lighting to the direction to what music gets to play in the background. Madison Feller, ELLE, 9 Aug. 2022 Today’s digital interactions have become a part of every aspect of personal and professional lives, driven by the convergence of IT and operational technology, as well as digital transformation across industries. Jason Sabin, Forbes, 8 Aug. 2022 Now, Peter Krouse reports, Apex is taking advantage of another aspect of the law and going straight to the voters. Cliff Pinckard, cleveland, 5 Aug. 2022 See More Word History
Etymology
Middle English, from Latin aspectus, from aspicere to look at, from ad- + specere to look — more at spy
First Known Use
14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 2a
Phrases Containing aspect
Kids Definition
aspect
noun
as·pect ˈa-ˌspekt
1
: the appearance of something : look
The old house took on a dark and lonely aspect at night.
2
: a certain way in which something appears or may be thought of
We considered every aspect of the question.
3
: a position facing a certain direction
The house has a southern aspect.
Medical Definition
aspect
noun
as·pect ˈas-ˌpekt
1
: the part of an object (as an organ) in a particular position
the medial aspects of the knees R. H. Nyquist
R. H. Nyquist2
: a particular status or phase in which something appears or may be regarded
the medicolegal aspects of pregnancy Bulletin of Meharry Medical College
Bulletin of Meharry Medical Collegeaspect
noun
1
as in side
a certain way in which something appears or may be regarded depending on what aspect of college life you consider most important, there are several colleges which might be good for you Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
- side
- phase
- hand
- angle
- facet
- part
- element
- regard
- state
- period
- view
- condition
- perspective
- component
- appearance
- shape
- dimension
- particular
- character
- stage
- viewpoint
- instance
- look
- interpretation
- factor
- article
- position
- air
- color
- face
- standpoint
- step
- version
- case
- item
- detail
- semblance
- matter
- stance
- reading
- complexion
- respect
- translation
- outlook
- visage
- posture
- shoes
- rendering
- point
- slant
- count
2
as in attitude
the outward form of someone or something especially as indicative of a quality he has the aspect of a man used to giving orders and seeing them obeyed Synonyms & Similar Words
- attitude
- presence
- manner
- appearance
- look
- demeanor
- regard
- outside
- behavior
- garb
- person
- shape
- dress
- figure
- stance
- posture
- mien
- features
- cut of one's jib
- pose
- bearing
- air
- deportment
- mold
- color
- face
- coloring
- comportment
- poise
- complexion
- physiognomy
- habit
- turn
- carriage
- visage
- cast
- countenance
- habitus
- superficies
3
as in orientation
the state or fact of facing a particular direction the harbor's northern aspect means that vessels are often exposed to strong winds Synonyms & Similar Words
- orientation
- alignment
- exposure
- arrangement
- frontage
- alinement
4
as in gaze
archaic a fixed intent look his aspect was focused on the distant shore Synonyms & Similar Words
- gaze
- eye
- stare
- regard
- scrutiny
- attention
- glare
- observation
- fixation
- contemplation
- gape
- inspection
- survey
- study
- examination
- surveillance
- observance
- watch
- glower
- perusal
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- sight
- glimpse
- glance
- flash
- peek
- peep
- blink
- stime
- scan
- browse
- ogle
- oeillade
