Orb vs. Sphere: What's the Difference?
Edited by Harlon Moss || By Janet White || Updated on July 8, 2024
An "orb" often refers to a celestial or spherical object with symbolic significance, while a "sphere" is a perfectly round, three-dimensional shape.
Key Differences
An "orb" can be used to describe a round object, especially when it has a particular significance or symbolic meaning. Often, orbs are associated with celestial bodies, such as stars, planets, and even the eyes in poetic contexts. A "sphere," on the other hand, is more specific in its definition, referring to a geometric shape that is perfectly round in three dimensions.
While "orb" carries a certain sense of mystique, often linked to the supernatural or the ethereal, "sphere" is largely clinical and mathematical. When one thinks of an orb, they might imagine a crystal ball used by a fortune teller. When one thinks of a sphere, a basketball or a geometric diagram might come to mind.
Both words, "orb" and "sphere," originate from Latin. "Orb" comes from "orbis" meaning circle, while "sphere" derives from "sphaera" referring to a globe or ball. Even with their shared Latin roots, their uses in modern English have diverged, with "orb" being more poetic and "sphere" more scientific.
Interestingly, "orb" can also refer to a sphere of activity or influence. For example, one might say, "the orb of his influence is vast." "Sphere" can also have a similar abstract usage, as in "sphere of influence" in political contexts. Yet, the geometric purity and mathematical implications are more pronounced with "sphere."
In literature and daily language, "orb" can evoke more imaginative and evocative scenarios, often touching upon the mysterious. "Sphere" maintains its standing as a clear descriptor of a round, three-dimensional object or a field of activity or influence.
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Comparison Chart
Primary Use
Celestial or symbolic object
Perfectly round, three-dimensional shape
Connotations
Mystical, celestial, significant
Geometric, mathematical, pure
Origin
Latin "orbis" (circle)
Latin "sphaera" (globe, ball)
Abstract Usage
Sphere of activity or influence
Field of activity or influence
Common Associations
Stars, eyes, crystal balls
Basketballs, geometric diagrams
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Orb and Sphere Definitions
Orb
A celestial body, like a sun or planet.
The moon is a shining orb in the night sky.
Sphere
A three-dimensional round shape.
The globe is a representation of the earth in sphere form.
Orb
An object resembling a ball in shape or character.
Her eyes were bright orbs of blue.
Sphere
(Mathematics) A three-dimensional surface, all points of which are equidistant from a fixed point.
Orb
A circle; especially a ring of light.
An orb of light surrounded the mysterious figure.
Sphere
A spherical object or figure.
Orb
A sphere or spherical object.
Sphere
A celestial body, such as a planet or star.
Orb
A celestial body, such as the sun or moon.
Sphere
The sky, appearing as a hemisphere to an observer
The sphere of the heavens.
Orb
(Archaic) The earth.
Sphere
Any of a series of concentric, transparent, revolving globes that together were once thought to contain the moon, sun, planets, and stars.
Orb
One of a series of concentric transparent spheres thought by ancient and medieval astronomers to rotate about the earth and carry the celestial bodies.
Sphere
A range or extent of knowledge, interest, or activity
A problem that falls within the sphere of biophysics.
Orb
A globe surmounted by a cross, used as a symbol of monarchial power and justice.
Sphere
A social level or part of society or group
Knew few people beyond his partner's sphere.
Orb
An eye or eyeball.
Sphere
A range of power or influence
Within the sphere of the empire.
Orb
(Archaic) Something of circular form; a circle or orbit.
Sphere
To form into a sphere.
Orb
To shape into a circle or sphere.
Sphere
To put in or within a sphere.
Orb
(Archaic) To encircle; enclose.
Sphere
(mathematics) A regular three-dimensional object in which every cross-section is a circle; the figure described by the revolution of a circle about its diameter . Category:en:Surfaces
Orb
To move in an orbit.
Sphere
A spherical physical object; a globe or ball.
Orb
A spherical body; a sphere, especially one of the celestial spheres; a sun, planet, or star
Sphere
The apparent outer limit of space; the edge of the heavens, imagined as a hollow globe within which celestial bodies appear to be embedded.
Orb
One of the azure transparent spheres conceived by the ancients to be enclosed one within another, and to carry the heavenly bodies in their revolutions
Sphere
Any of the concentric hollow transparent globes formerly believed to rotate around the Earth, and which carried the heavenly bodies; there were originally believed to be eight, and later nine and ten; friction between them was thought to cause a harmonious sound (the music of the spheres).
Orb
(architectural element) A structural motif or finial in the shape of a sphere
Sphere
(mythology) An area of activity for a planet; or by extension, an area of influence for a god, hero etc.
Orb
An orbit of an heavenly body
Sphere
(figuratively) The region in which something or someone is active; one's province, domain.
Orb
(rare) The time period of an orbit
Sphere
(geometry) The set of all points in three-dimensional Euclidean space (or n-dimensional space, in topology) that are a fixed distance from a fixed point .
Orb
(poetic) The eye, seen as a luminous and spherical entity
Sphere
(logic) The extension of a general conception, or the totality of the individuals or species to which it may be applied.
Orb
(poetic) Any revolving circular body, such as a wheel
Sphere
(transitive) To place in a sphere, or among the spheres; to ensphere.
Orb
(rare) A sphere of action.
Sphere
(transitive) To make round or spherical; to perfect.
Orb
A globus cruciger; a ceremonial sphere used to represent royal or imperial power
Sphere
A body or space contained under a single surface, which in every part is equally distant from a point within called its center.
Orb
A translucent sphere appearing in flash photography (Orb (optics))
Sphere
Hence, any globe or globular body, especially a celestial one, as the sun, a planet, or the earth.
Of celestial bodies, first the sun,A mighty sphere, he framed.
Orb
(military) A body of soldiers drawn up in a circle, as for defence, especially infantry to repel cavalry.
Sphere
The apparent surface of the heavens, which is assumed to be spherical and everywhere equally distant, in which the heavenly bodies appear to have their places, and on which the various astronomical circles, as of right ascension and declination, the equator, ecliptic, etc., are conceived to be drawn; an ideal geometrical sphere, with the astronomical and geographical circles in their proper positions on it.
Orb
(architecture) A blank window or panel.
Sphere
The extension of a general conception, or the totality of the individuals or species to which it may be applied.
Orb
To form into an orb or circle.
Sphere
Circuit or range of action, knowledge, or influence; compass; province; employment; place of existence.
To be called into a huge sphere, and not to be seen to move in 't.
Taking her out of the ordinary relations with humanity, and inclosing her in a sphere by herself.
Each in his hidden sphere of joy or woeOur hermit spirits dwell.
Orb
To become round like an orb.
Sphere
Rank; order of society; social positions.
Orb
To encircle; to surround; to enclose.
Sphere
An orbit, as of a star; a socket.
Orb
A blank window or panel.
Sphere
To place in a sphere, or among the spheres; to insphere.
The glorious planet SolIn noble eminence enthroned and spheredAmidst the other.
Orb
A spherical body; a globe; especially, one of the celestial spheres; a sun, planet, or star.
In the small orb of one particular tear.
Whether the prime orb,Incredible how swift, had thither rolled.
Sphere
To form into roundness; to make spherical, or spheral; to perfect.
Orb
One of the azure transparent spheres conceived by the ancients to be inclosed one within another, and to carry the heavenly bodies in their revolutions.
Sphere
A particular environment or walk of life;
His social sphere is limited
It was a closed area of employment
He's out of my orbit
Orb
A circle; esp., a circle, or nearly circular orbit, described by the revolution of a heavenly body; an orbit.
The schoolmen were like astronomers, which did feign eccentrics, and epicycles, and such engines of orbs.
You seem to me as Dian in her orb.
In orbsOf circuit inexpressible they stood,Orb within orb.
Sphere
Any spherically shaped artifact
Orb
A period of time marked off by the revolution of a heavenly body.
Sphere
The geographical area in which one nation is very influential
Orb
The eye, as luminous and spherical.
A drop serene hath quenched their orbs.
Sphere
A particular aspect of life or activity;
He was helpless in an important sector of his life
Orb
A revolving circular body; a wheel.
The orbsOf his fierce chariot rolled.
Sphere
A solid figure bounded by a spherical surface (including the space it encloses)
Orb
A sphere of action or influence.
But in our orbs we'll live so round and safe.
Sphere
A three-dimensional closed surface such that every point on the surface is equidistant from the center
Orb
Same as Mound, a ball or globe. See 1st Mound.
Sphere
The apparent surface of the imaginary sphere on which celestial bodies appear to be projected
Orb
A body of soldiers drawn up in a circle, as for defense, esp. infantry to repel cavalry.
Sphere
A field of activity or expertise.
Politics and education are two different spheres.
Orb
To form into an orb or circle.
Sphere
A particular environment or walk of life.
He's well-known in the business sphere.
Orb
To encircle; to surround; to inclose.
The wheels were orbed with gold.
Sphere
A social level or class of society.
She was born into the upper sphere of society.
Orb
To become round like an orb.
And orb into the perfect star.
Orb
The ball-shaped capsule containing the vertebrate eye
Orb
An object with a spherical shape;
A ball of fire
Orb
A sphere with symbolic or mystical significance.
The crystal orb predicted a great fortune.
Orb
A sphere of activity, influence, or interest.
He moved in the highest social orbs.
FAQs
Can "orb" refer to any round object?
While "orb" can refer to round objects, it often has a symbolic or celestial connotation.
Are "orb" and "sphere" interchangeable?
Not always. While both can describe round objects, "orb" has more symbolic undertones.
Is "sphere" related to spherical?
Yes, "spherical" is the adjective form, describing something that has the shape of a sphere.
Can "sphere" refer to a social class?
Yes, like in the phrase "upper sphere of society."
Is "sphere" ever used poetically?
Yes, "sphere" can appear in poetry, often referring to celestial bodies or the universe.
Is "sphere" only a geometric term?
No, "sphere" can also refer to fields of activity or influence.
Can "orb" refer to an area of expertise?
Yes, though less common, it can refer to a sphere of influence or expertise.
Is "orb" older than "sphere" in English usage?
Both have ancient Latin roots, but their English usage and connotations have evolved differently over time.
Can "orb" imply something supernatural?
Yes, "orb" can have mystical or supernatural connotations, especially in literature.
What's a synonym for "sphere" in mathematics?
"Ball" can be a synonym in mathematics, especially when discussing volume or interior points.
Does "sphere" have any political connotations?
Yes, like in "sphere of influence" in geopolitics.
Can "orb" be used in scientific contexts?
While it can, "sphere" is more commonly used in scientific and mathematical contexts.
Does "orb" have historical or literary significance?
Yes, "orb" often appears in literature, especially to describe celestial bodies or eyes.
Is "orb" commonly used in everyday language?
"Orb" is less common in everyday language compared to "sphere" and is often reserved for more poetic or specific contexts.
Can "orb" mean a circular ring of light?
Yes, it can describe a ring or circle of light, especially in poetic contexts.
About Author
Written by
Janet WhiteJanet White has been an esteemed writer and blogger for Difference Wiki. Holding a Master's degree in Science and Medical Journalism from the prestigious Boston University, she has consistently demonstrated her expertise and passion for her field. When she's not immersed in her work, Janet relishes her time exercising, delving into a good book, and cherishing moments with friends and family.
Edited by
Harlon MossHarlon is a seasoned quality moderator and accomplished content writer for Difference Wiki. An alumnus of the prestigious University of California, he earned his degree in Computer Science. Leveraging his academic background, Harlon brings a meticulous and informed perspective to his work, ensuring content accuracy and excellence.
