Definition
- (noun) The angular distance north or south from a planet's equator, measured along the meridian of that particular point.
- (noun) An imaginary line (in fact a circumference) around a planet running parallel to the planet's equator.
- (noun) The relative freedom from restrictions; scope to do something. “His parents gave him a great deal of latitude.”
- (noun) The angular distance of a heavenly body from the ecliptic.
- (noun) The extent to which a light-sensitive material can be over- or underexposed and still achieve an acceptable result.
- (noun) Extent or scope; e.g. breadth, width or amplitude.
Background
The word latitude contains a balanced mix of vowels and consonants, featuring four of each, which contributes to its phonetic appeal. Scoring nine points in Scrabble, it is a solid choice for players looking to maximize their tile values. This noun denotes the angular distance measured north or south from a planet's equator, specifically along the meridian of a given location. Common phrases include 'latitude lines' and 'geographical latitude,' often found in contexts related to geography and navigation.
In real-world usage, latitude plays a crucial role in fields such as meteorology, cartography, and astronomy. Professionals in these domains frequently refer to latitude when discussing climate zones or plotting locations on a map. For example, 'The city lies at a latitude of 40 degrees north' is a typical statement in geographic discussions. Understanding latitude is essential for activities such as sailing or hiking, where precise positioning is vital.
For puzzle enthusiasts, latitude is eligible for Wordle, being an eight-letter word. It contains common bigrams like 'at' and 'ta,' which can enhance word play strategies. Additionally, players can form several sub-words, including altitude, detail, and tilted, broadening their options during games like Scrabble. Its letter composition offers various possibilities, making it a versatile word in lexical challenges.
The term latitude likely originates from the Latin word 'latitudo,' which translates to 'breadth' or 'width.' It gained prominence in the English language around the late 14th century, primarily in scientific and navigational contexts. The plural form is 'latitudes.' There are no commonly recognized misspellings, though confusion may arise with similar letters like 't' and 'd.' This word's significance in navigation and geography makes it an essential term to grasp.
Word stats
- Latitude contains 8 letters: 4 vowel(s) and 4 consonant(s).
- It uses 7 unique letters.
- Estimated syllable count: 3.
- Scrabble-style letter score: 9.
Anagrams
Words you can build
- altitude
- detail
- dilate
- dilute
- tailed
- tilted
- titled
- adieu
- adult
- ailed
- audit
- dealt
- delta
- ideal
- latte
- tidal
- tilde
- tiled
- title
- aide
- alit
- dale
- date
- deal
- deli
- dial
- diet
- dual
- duel
- duet
- edit
- idea
- idle
- lade
- laid
- late
- laud
- lead
- lied
- lieu
- lite
- lute
- tail
- tale
- taut
- teal
- teat
- tide
- tied
- tile
- tilt
- aid
- ail
- ale
- alt
- ate
- die
- due
- eat
Word neighbours
Other 8-letter words
- aardvark
- abacuses
- abalones
- abandons
- abashing
- abattoir
- abbesses
- abdicate
- abdomens
- abducted
- abductee
- abductor
- aberrant
- abetters
- abetting
- abettors
- abeyance
- abhorred
Words starting with LAT
- lat
- latch
- latched
- latches
- latching
- late
- latecomer
- latecomers
- lately
- latency
- lateness
- latent
- later
- lateral
- lateraled
- lateraling
- lateralled
- lateralling
See all words starting with LAT →
Words ending with UDE
Frequently asked questions
What does Latitude mean?
The angular distance north or south from a planet's equator, measured along the meridian of that particular point.
What are the anagrams of Latitude?
Valid anagrams: altitude.
How many letters are in Latitude?
Latitude has 8 letters.
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