# symmetric

> English word · Adjective · IPA /sɪˈmɛt.ɹɪk/ · frequency rank #22,240

## Definitions
1. Synonym of symmetrical
2. Of a relation R on a set S, such that xRy if and only if yRx for all members x and y of S (that is, if the relation holds between any element and a second, it also holds between the second and the first).
3. Using the same key (or keys that are trivially related) for both encryption and decryption.

## Etymology
From symmetry + -ic, from Latin symmetria, from Ancient Greek συμμετρία (summetría).

## Easily confused with
- **symmetry** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/symmetric-vs-symmetry)
- **symmetrical** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/symmetric-vs-symmetrical)

## Common misspellings (13)
`smymetric`, `ssymmetric`, `symemtric`, `symetric`, `symmertic`, `symmetirc`, `symmetrci`, `symmetricc`, `symmetrric`, `symmettric`, `symmteric`, `syymmetric`, `ysmmetric`

## Source
Compiled from Wiktionary via kaikki.org (CC BY-SA). Data vintage: 2026-05-06.
Canonical page: https://plainspell.com/en/word/symmetric