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linear

/ˈlɪniər/
/ˈlɪniə/
IPA guide

Something linear is like a line. The adjective usually refers to something that follows an expected order or sequence — like railroad tracks or even the progression of a disease.

Drawn from the word line, something linear follows that concept, coming from the Latin līneāris, "belonging to a line." You might come across the word in mathematics, as in a "linear equation," or in electronics, with a "linear circuit." It also can be used to refer to a written work that follows a "linear narrative." If a movie has lots of flashbacks and happens out of order, it does not have a linear narrative. You might find such a movie puzzling but enjoyable, or you might prefer something more chronological and linear.

Definitions of linear
  1. adjective
    of or in or along or relating to a line; involving a single dimension
    “a linear measurement”
    synonyms: one-dimensional
    collinear
    lying on the same line
    lineal
    arranged in a line
    linelike
    resembling a line
    rectilineal, rectilinear
    characterized by a straight line or lines
    see moresee less
    antonyms:
    cubic
    having three dimensions
    planar
    involving two dimensions
    blockish, blocky
    resembling a block in shape
    box-shaped, boxlike, boxy
    resembling a box in rectangularity
    brick-shaped
    shaped like a brick
    isometric
    of a crystal system characterized by three equal axes at right angles
    solid
    having three dimensions
    coplanar
    lying in the same plane
    flat
    having a relatively broad surface in relation to depth or thickness
    placoid, platelike
    as the hard flattened scales of e.g. sharks
    flattened, planate
    having been flattened
    tabular
    flat; like a table in form
  2. adjective
    measured lengthwise
    synonyms: running
    lengthways, lengthwise
    running or extending in the direction of the length of a thing
  3. adjective
    (of a leaf shape) long and narrow
    synonyms: elongate
    simple, unsubdivided
    (botany) of leaf shapes; of leaves having no divisions or subdivisions
  4. adjective
    progressing from one stage or idea to the next in sequential order
    see moresee less
    antonyms:
    nonlinear
    not arranged or expressed in a sequential or straightforward way
  5. adjective
    designating or involving an equation whose terms are of the first degree
    synonyms: additive
    bilinear
    linear with respect to each of two variables or positions
    see moresee less
    antonyms:
    nonlinear
    designating or involving an equation whose terms are not of the first degree
  6. adjective
    of a circuit or device having an output that is proportional to the input
    linear amplifier”
    synonyms: analog, analogue
Pronunciation
US
/ˈlɪniər/
UK
/ˈlɪniə/
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DISCLAIMER: These example sentences appear in various news sources and books to reflect the usage of the word ‘linear'. Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Vocabulary.com or its editors. Send us feedback
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