nonlinear

/nɑnˈlɪniər/

Things that don't follow a straight or logical path are nonlinear. In books and movies, a nonlinear narrative jumps around in time, rather than moving forward chronologically.

The word nonlinear means "not like a line," from the Latin linea, "string or line." Use this adjective to describe things that veer off the straight and narrow, or for situations in which one event doesn't clearly follow another. If you tell your friend the long story of how you first got your dog, interspersing the tale with details of the dream you had last night, that's a good example of a nonlinear narrative.

Definitions of nonlinear

1. adjective

   designating or involving an equation whose terms are not of the first degree
   antonyms:

   linear

   designating or involving an equation whose terms are of the first degree

   bilinear

   linear with respect to each of two variables or positions
2. adjective

   not arranged in or relating to a straight line
   antonyms:

   lineal

   arranged in a line

   linear, one-dimensional

   of or in or along or relating to a line; involving a single dimension
3. adjective

   not arranged or expressed in a sequential or straightforward way
   antonyms:

   linear

   progressing from one stage or idea to the next in sequential order